Coverage dated July 18, 2023 to July 24, 2023

Jason Aldean rockets to No. 2 on charts after music video controversy

Headline from KHOU Houston, on the newest of 4 developments

Jason Aldean's “Try That in a Small Town” is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video.

KHOU Houston's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

4 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Jul 19, 2023
Jason Aldean’s Controversial ‘Try That In A Small Town’ Debuts At No. 2 On Billboard Chart
Headline from Forbes ·
Jul 21, 2023
Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ rockets to No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100
Headline from Washington Times ·
Jul 25, 2023
Jason Aldean 'Try That in a Small Town' streams increase 1,000%
Headline from KTVB Boise ·
Jul 25, 2023Newest
Jason Aldean rockets to No. 2 on charts after music video controversy
Headline from KHOU Houston ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

45 articles, oldest first.

ABC 7 Los Angeles
Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' music video pulled by CMT amid controversy (opens ABC 7 Los Angeles)
Published Jul 18, 2023
ABC 7 Los Angeles's feed description
Critics say the lyrics to "Try That in a Small Town" evoke vigilante violence and racism. While Aldean defends his song, some listeners thought the lyrics were puzzling given Aldean's tragic history with gun violence.
New York Post
Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ tops charts despite ‘pro-lynching’ controversy (opens New York Post)
Published Jul 18, 2023
New York Post's feed description
An insider told The Post that Aldean’s performance of the song will remain in ABC’s broadcast of the CMA Music Festival, set to air Wednesday.
The Daily Caller
Jason Aldean Denies His Song ‘Try That In A Small Town’ Is Pro-Lynching (opens The Daily Caller)
Published Jul 18, 2023
The Daily Caller's feed description
Country star Jason Aldean vehemently denied allegations that his hit "Try That in a Small Town" and the video associated with it are racist, and pro-lynching.
Daily Journal Online
CMT pulls music video of Jason Aldean’s controversial song; singer defends lyrics (opens Daily Journal Online)
Published Jul 18, 2023
Daily Journal Online's feed description
There has been more fallout regarding Jason Aldean’s controversial single, “Try That in a Small Town.”
FOX Business
Jason Aldean could see sales boost as song hits No. 1 on iTunes amid controversy (opens FOX Business)
Published Jul 18, 2023
FOX Business's feed description
Country music star Jason Aldean's song, "Try That In A Small Town," has hit No. 1 on iTunes in the U.S. after Country Music Television pulled the video amid controversy.
People
Jason Aldean Responds to Backlash over Controversial 'Try That in a Small Town' Music Video (opens People)
Published Jul 18, 2023
People's feed description
Jason Aldean is speaking up for himself after facing backlash over his new song "Try That in a Small Towm," where fans accused him of being pro-gun and racist.
Avclub
Jason Aldean tries to explain away his threatening "Small Town" song (opens Avclub)
Published Jul 18, 2023
Avclub's feed description
Country singer Jason Aldean faces backlash for the lyrics and video of his new single "Try That In A Small Town"
Washington Examiner
Jason Aldean defends new music video after it is pulled from CMT (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Jul 18, 2023
Washington Examiner's feed description
Country singer Jason Aldean defended his new song, "Try That In a Small Town," after Country Music Television pulled the song from its network.
Rolling Stone
Jason Aldean Dismisses Backlash to 'Try That in a Small Town': It's Not a 'Pro-Lynching Song' (opens Rolling Stone)
Published Jul 18, 2023
Rolling Stone's feed description
The country singer has been suffering a backlash since the release of the song’s video, which CMT just pulled from its air
Washington Times
Jason Aldean’s anti-woke anthem shoots to No. 1 on iTunes after CMT pulls video (opens Washington Times)
Published Jul 18, 2023
Washington Times's feed description
Country star Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” had its video pulled by CMT earlier this week after days of attacks accusing it of racism and gun fetishism. By Wednesday, the song had hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes chart, according to Billboard magazine.
Newsweek
Jason Aldean scores major win amid backlash over song about small towns (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 19, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
The country music star is facing continued criticism over his controversial track, "Try That in a Small Town."
The Week
Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' controversy, explained (opens The Week)
Published Jul 19, 2023
The Week's feed description
Why the country music star's latest song and video are facing backlash
Newsweek
Celebrities take sides in Jason Aldean song controversy (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 19, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
Country music singer Jason Aldean has divided opinions with the release of his new song "Try That in a Small Town."
Wyoming Public Media
How Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' became a political controversy (opens Wyoming Public Media)
Published Jul 19, 2023
Wyoming Public Media's feed description
The country music star is known for his songs about rural life, but critics, especially those on the left of the political spectrum, say his latest music video takes the nostalgic themes too far.
Variety
Country Music’s Adeem the Artist Satirizes Jason Aldean’s ‘Small Town’ With a Biting Parody Song, ‘Sundown Town’ (opens Variety)
Published Jul 19, 2023
Variety's feed description
Reading between the lines of country superstar Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” has mostly been up to media commentators and social media participants so far, but one cou…
Newsweek
Is Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town" song racist? (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 20, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
The country music star's new video has been heralded by conservatives but slammed by critics who call it racist.
NBC News
Haley and Ramaswamy play Jason Aldean song ‘Try That In A Small Town’ at campaign events (opens NBC News)
Published Jul 20, 2023
NBC News's feed description
CMT pulled the video by the country star this week after backlash.
FOX Business
Jason Aldean's 'Try That In A Small Town' streams jump 999%, debuts at No. 2 on Billboard chart after backlash (opens FOX Business)
Published Jul 23, 2023
FOX Business's feed description
Jason Aldean's streams for "Try That In A Small Town" has jumped 999% since the song sparked backlash online last week. The track has also jumped in sales.
Washington Times
Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ rockets to No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100 (opens Washington Times)
Published Jul 23, 2023
Washington Times's feed description
Jason Aldean ‘s “Try That in a Small Town” is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video.
Kokomo Tribune
Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' rockets to No. 2 on charts after music video controversy (opens Kokomo Tribune)
Published Jul 23, 2023
Kokomo Tribune's feed description
Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video. The song, which was released in May, debuted at No. 2 on
Forbes
Jason Aldean’s Controversial ‘Try That In A Small Town’ Debuts At No. 2 On Billboard Chart (opens Forbes)
Published Jul 23, 2023
Forbes's feed description
The song debuted on the chart with the biggest sales week for a country song in over 10 years, according to Billboard.
The Hollywood Reporter
After Controversy, Streams for Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” Jump 999 Percent (opens The Hollywood Reporter)
Published Jul 23, 2023
The Hollywood Reporter's feed description
Sales for the song have increased from 1,000 to 228,000 units and the music video has jumped to 16 million views in the last week.
KHOU Houston
Jason Aldean rockets to No. 2 on charts after music video controversy (opens KHOU Houston)
Published Jul 24, 2023
KHOU Houston's feed description
Jason Aldean's “Try That in a Small Town” is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video.
Entertainment Weekly
Jason Aldean's new song becomes biggest hit of his career amid controversy (opens Entertainment Weekly)
Published Jul 24, 2023
Entertainment Weekly's feed description
Despite CMT pulling its controversial music video after many criticized it as racist, 'Try That in a Small Town' has become Jason Aldean's biggest-ever hit on the charts.
People
Everything to Know About Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' Music Video Controversy (opens People)
Published Jul 24, 2023
People's feed description
Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' music video has made headlines for its divisive imagery, which some fans have deemed pro-gun and racist, and has been pulled from CMT as a result. Here's everything to know about the controversy surrounding the country music singer.

Showing the first 25 of 28 headlines. ·

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.