Jason Aldean said several touring employees criticized him and his team during the controversy surrounding “Try That in a Small Town.”
Aldean said those employees no longer worked for his organization. He did not publicly identify them or fully explain how each person departed.
Jason Aldean Released a Divisive Song
Jason Aldean released “Try That in a Small Town” in May 2023. Its lyrics contrast rural communities with cities and warn that certain crimes, protests and attacks on police would face consequences in a small town. Critics interpreted the message as threatening vigilantism, while supporters viewed it as defending community responsibility.
Jason Aldean Faced Video Backlash
Jason Aldean filmed the music video outside the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. The location has a history connected with racial violence, including the lynching of Henry Choate in 1927. CMT removed the video from rotation after controversy grew around the setting, lyrics and protest footage.
Jason Aldean Denied Racist Intent
Jason Aldean rejected accusations that the song promoted lynching or targeted Black Lives Matter protesters. He said the lyrics contained no racial references and described the song as representing neighbors protecting one another despite differences. His denial established his stated intention, although critics continued challenging the imagery and message.
Jason Aldean Reached Number One
Jason Aldean’s song rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after the controversy generated national attention. It became his first chart-topper on the all-genre ranking. The commercial success showed that backlash did not damage the release financially and may have encouraged supporters to purchase and stream it.
Jason Aldean Addressed Crew Criticism
Jason Aldean said some employees complained about him and the song while using transportation and catering paid for by his touring organization. He presented the criticism as disrespectful to both him and loyal crew members. Aldean’s comments indicate that agreement with every political view was not required, but public disparagement crossed his workplace boundary.
Jason Aldean Left Key Details Unclear
Jason Aldean did not disclose how many workers left, what positions they held or whether each person was formally fired. His phrase that they “no longer work for us” strongly suggested that their employment ended because of the conflict, but articles should not invent names, dates or disciplinary steps that he never supplied.
Jason Aldean Still Defends the Song
Jason Aldean has continued defending the song’s community-focused meaning while acknowledging that filming at the courthouse created an avoidable distraction. The verified story is that internal criticism contributed to personnel changes. It is not evidence that Aldean dismissed every employee who privately disagreed with his politics.
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