Jason Aldean's new release "Try That In A Small Town" has generated heated discussion on whether musicians should address social issues via song. At the center of this dispute has been footage from Black Lives Matter demonstrations used as backdrop in its music video for this song. There are valid criticisms to be made of the video and song, yet resorting to shock value hyperbole undermines them instead of strengthening them. 1. "Try That In A Small Town" Jason Aldean has earned multiple ACM Entertainer of the Year honors since making his chart debut in 2005 and currently reigns as Artist of the Decade. His songs often focus on small-town living, love and loss - qualities which have propelled his rise as one of country music's bestselling artists. His latest video for "Try That In A Small Town" has generated considerable debate due to its political message and setting. Filmed at Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee - site of mob lynching of Black man Henry Choate in 1927 - the video intercuts footage of protests and civil unrest from across America. This song personifies manufactured rightwing nostalgia and expresses paranoia about big cities as hotbeds of violence and diversity. Co-written by artists Kelley Lovelace, Marv Green and Kurt Allison as well as producers Neil Thrasher and Corey Kent, it was ultimately composed in 2014. 2. "All Out Of Beer" After turning down a baseball scholarship to college, Jason Aldean began performing bars around his native Georgia under the stage name Aldean (an anagram of his middle name), eventually signing with Broken Bow Records. Since 2005, country music star Chris Young has released ten albums and 40 singles, including 2010's My Kinda Party album. Additionally, he has received multiple accolades, such as ACM Entertainer of the Year and Dick Clark Artist of the Decade awards. His success, however, hasn't gone without criticism from gun control activists and traditional racist groups. Furthermore, the music video was shot at a historic courthouse which witnessed racial riots and even a lynching in 1927; this has become an issue of contention within renewed gun control discussions. 3. "This Plane Don't Go There" Jason Aldean is a highly esteemed country music singer with 10 studio albums under his belt and numerous tours behind him - his most recent offering being Macon, Georgia. He began his musical career at an early age, performing his first song live when he was only 14. Additionally, he played basketball at Windsor Academy and was recruited by several college teams for further consideration as an athlete, but ultimately decided to focus on music instead of professional sports. Aldean's video for this song caused an uproar by showing footage from the 1946 Columbia race riot and mob lynching of an 18-year-old black teenager; however, he insisted it did not include any explicit racist references and that he never supports racism in any form. The song reached number five on Country Songs chart. 4. "Watching You Love Me" If you ever think country songwriters romanticized small town life, this song will put that idea to bed once and for all. Aldean performs in front of a courthouse while intercut with footage depicting people burning flags, rioting violently against police, spitting at officers, and generally engaging in violent behavior that Aldean believes typifies rural America. Critics have accused Aldean of glorifying an eye-for-an-eye mentality and encouraging lawlessness such as that seen in Ferguson and Charleston, though Aldean denies this charge, maintaining that his latest album Macon, Georgia features many songs about rural life - plus special guests! Click here for ticket info. 5. "Stay Away From Me" Aldean co-wrote this track with Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher for his 2022 double album Macon, Georgia; it became the first single from it to make the top ten country charts. This song presents a harsh critique of small town values, pitting tiny towns against lawless urban marauders who should be kept at bay by any means necessary. This contrasts sharply with more upbeat songs from this project such as "They Don't Know" and "Tattoos on This Town." Jason addressed his detractors during his Highway Desperado Tour stop at Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center on Friday (July 21), during a show featuring images of recent rioting and chaos throughout the United States. Jason candidly addressed criticism surrounding both song lyrics and video for "Highway Desperado." Additionally, he revealed he's close to wrapping up his eleventh studio album. 6. "Stay Away From Me" Jason Aldean is one of the biggest stars in country music, known for selling out stadiums and becoming an audience favorite. At 46 years old he boasts an estimated net worth of 110 Million USD. Aldean generated controversy with his latest music video. Set at Maury County Courthouse building in Columbia, Tennessee - known for being the site of race riots and mob lynching of 18-year-old Black teenager Henry Choate in 1927 - Aldean created much debate with this choice for filming his music video there. CMT abruptly pulled the video after airing it for three days without providing an explanation as to why. Written by Kurt Allison, Marv Green, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher with Michael Knox as producer, its music video features protesters engaging in confrontations with police as well as looters breaking display cases and robbing convenience stores as well as footage of burning American flags. 7. "Stay Away From Me" Jason Aldean has long been one of the biggest country music stars. A family man and avid hunter, Jason also enjoys spending his free time outdoors hunting and is an advocate for gun rights. Aldean's latest song and music video, "Try That In A Small Town," sparked widespread outrage from listeners and media alike for what many perceived to be its racist and violent message. The video features Aldean performing before Maury County Courthouse building in Columbia, Tennessee -- where 18-year-old Black man Henry Choate was brutally executed by mob in 1927. This video juxtaposes footage of protests and looting with footage showing police shooting innocent civilians. This juxtaposition serves to disprove the notion that rural America is filled with innocent good old boys; apparently this viewpoint is offensive to many on the left. 8. "Stay Away From Me" Aldean's latest album explores small-town life through lyrics that showcase his skill as an artist while cultivating his fan base over time. This approach has enabled Aldean to hone his craft and establish himself with loyal listeners over the years. Aldean's lyrics for this track caused some controversy as they seem to endorse violence against outsiders who challenge "good ol' boys." Critics have charged Aldean with glorifying an eye-for-an-eye philosophy within both his song and video; which were shot at the site of a lynching. Aldean responded to criticism while performing in Ohio on his Highway Desperado Tour by criticizing those attempting to politicize country music, with fans cheering him on while making clear he plans on singing about Ohio as part of his show, as well as maintaining his conservative political beliefs. 9. "Stay Away From Me" This song tells the tale of an individual whose life seems to be disintegrating around him. He longs for time alone with himself but his wife won't permit this. It is an extremely moving track. Aldean began his musical career by participating in local talent contests and fairs before being noticed by talent scout Lawrence Mathis of Broken Bow Records, who signed him to their label and released their debut single Hicktown into the country Billboard Top 10. Aldean then set his sights on bigger things - eventually reaching stardom himself! Listeners and media alike have voiced strong criticism against the music video for "Fight Song," as it alludes to violence against outsiders who threaten small-town good ol' boys in small-town America. Critics even liken it to modern day lynchings. CMT immediately pulled it from rotation after its release; Sheryl Crow expressed disapproval by declaring there is nothing small-town or American about inciting violence against strangers. 10. "Stay Away From Me" Jason Aldean recently unveiled a single from his forthcoming 11th studio album. Although its title remains to be confirmed, Aldean released one track from it titled "Tough Crowd." After the release of an emotionally charged music video for his song, "Try That in a Small Town," which features an iconic courthouse once associated with lynchings and other violent incidents, listeners and media alike have come out in force against it. Jason Aldean addressed the controversy surrounding his song and video during a show on his Highway Desperado Tour in Ohio. He defended both lyrics and imagery citing his pride as an American. Additionally, he thanked fans for their support as the audience cheered loudly in response.