Has CMT Gone Too Far?

Country Music Television (CMT) pulled Jason Aldean’s music video “Try That In A Small Town,” which some allege was in response to media outrage. So far, CMT has not stated any specific reasons for removing the video. The music video was released recently on July 14th, although the song was released to country radio in May 2023. In the video, Aldean calls out left-wing violence and includes real news clips, specifically violence against law enforcement. According to the Left, his song is considered ‘controversial’ and hateful. While the song seems controversial for some, rapping about drugs and murdering people is “ok.” Singing about standing up to lawlessness for others equals hate speech. “Try That In A Small Town”: “Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk, carjack an old lady at a red light. Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store. Ya think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like. Cuss out a cop, spit in his face. Stomp on the flag and light it up. Yeah, ya think you’re tough,” the lyrics read. “Well, try that in a small town. See how far ya make it down the road.” Aldean responded to the cancellation of his video through his social media sharing his take on the content. “…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. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to––that’s what this song is about.”

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. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…

— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023

Whether CMT will go the way of other woke corporations, such as Bud Light and Disney, remains to be seen.