Jason Aldean addressed criticism he’s faced throughout the week following the release of the music video for his latest hit, “Try That in a Small Town.”
In new videos surfacing on social media, Aldean joked he’s had “a long-a– week.”
“It’s been a long week, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff,” the country singer said between songs. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff suggesting I’m this, suggesting I’m that.”
On Instagram Tuesday, Aldean, 46, rejected the notion that his new tune, which hit airwaves in May and only recently received visuals, referenced “race or points to it.”
In the music video, Aldean touts how small towns wouldn’t put up with the kind of riots and lawlessness many cities across the country faced during the summer of 2020.
The crowd at the Riverbend Music Center erupted into boos before Aldean could continue.
“Here’s the thing,” he said. “I feel like everybody is entitled to their opinion. You can think something all you want to; it doesn’t mean it’s true – right?”
Aldean added, “What I am is a proud American. I’m proud to be from here. I love our country. I want to see it restored to what it once was before all of this bulls–t started happening to us.”
“I love my country, I love my family, and I will do anything to protect that – I can tell you that right now.”
Before Aldean could say another word, the crowd began chanting “USA.”
Country singer Jason Aldean performs on stage in cowboy hat and green shirt
Jason Aldean defended his latest music video for new country song, “Try That in a Small Town.” (Monica Murray)
Brittany Aldean shared a few snaps with her millions of followers on Instagram before the concert in Cincinnati.
She showed off matching cowgirl outfits with their daughter, Navy Rome. The mother-daughter-duo got a peek backstage, and then went to help Jason and his crew sling beverages out to fans wading in the river.
Earlier in the week, Aldean denied his song, “Try That in a Small Town,” had racial undertones after critics voiced disdain for the new music video.
“In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests,” Aldean shared Tuesday with his nearly 8 million fans across social media.
“These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.”
Country Music Television (CMT) pulled the video from rotation three days after initially airing the video, representatives confirmed with Fox News Digital. CMT did not provide more information about why the video was removed from air.
Brittany backed her husband by sharing a selfie with Jason, and wrote on her own social platforms, “Never apologize for speaking the truth.”
The second single from his as-yet untitled 11th studio album featured footage from Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.
“‘Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief,” Aldean wrote. “Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences.”
