Lee Greenwood Defends Jason Aldean Over Song Controversy: ‘You Can’t Take Freedom Away

Lee Greenwood is publicly defending Jason Aldean amid a firestorm of controversy over his “Try That in a Small Town” song and video. In an interview on Jesse Watters Primetime, the “God Bless the USA” singer says Aldean has been unjustly accused of racism.

“I am a Jason Aldean fan. He is the biggest patriot, like a lot of us,” Greenwood says. “It has nothing to do with racism. This is about people trying to take away the freedom of expression. It is a great song. I wish I had it.”

Aldean has been under fire for the song, which relies on tropes about small-town America for its lyrical theme. Many critics and online users have decried the song as promoting vigilante gun violence.

“Got a gun that my granddad gave me / They say one day they’re gonna round up / Well, that sh-t might fly in the city, good luck / Try that in a small town / See how far ya make it down the road / You cross that line, it won’t take long for you to find out / I recommend you don’t / Try that in a small town,” Aldean sings.

CMT pulled the video out of rotation after just days on the air after extensive criticism, much of which centers around its location. The clip features footage of crowds protesting police brutality during the pandemic, including burning American flags. It intersperses that news footage with shots of Aldean in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., a rural town where a mob hung the body of an 18-year-old Black man named Henry Choate after lynching and murdering him in 1927. Critics have accused Aldean of promoting racism and violence in the clip, which he has denied.

“It’s about a small-town flavor,” Greenwood says of the video. “I am from a small town in California, and you know what? People cannot take our freedom away because people know everybody in a small town. That’s what the heart of America is, is rural America. You can’t take freedom away.”
Related: Jason Aldean Says ‘Try That in a Small Town’ Accusations Are Meritless, Dangerous

In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, the production company behind the clip, Tacklebox, says the location is a “popular filming location outside of Nashville,” citing several other projects that filmed in the area.

“Any alternative narrative suggesting the music video’s location decision is false,” the company states, adding that Aldean did not choose the location for the video.

Aldean responded to the controversy over the song and video in a statement via social media:

attachment-Screen Shot 2023-07-18 at 2.35.26 PM
Other stars have also weighed in on Aldean’s song and video, with Travis Tritt and others defending him, while Sheryl Crow accused him of “promoting violence“:

Read More: Lee Greenwood Defends Jason Aldean Over Song Controversy | https://theboot.com/ixp/204/p/jason-aldean-try-that-in-a-small-town-controversy-lee-greenwood/?fbclid=IwAR0mp_5GX9y2E42EpEx40H7v91G-jR5McajVs40M5XJeK2lzLJjY1xMTcw8&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Related Posts

ST1. HEARTS Break for ‘PAWN STAR’ Star Rick Harrison s3

Fans of the hit reality television show Pawn Stars are reeling with sadness following recent news about the Harrison family. Rick Harrison, the star and co-owner of…

HT1. Donald Trump ends Secret Service for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden – here’s why

In a bold move, President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate halt to Secret Service protection for President Joe Biden’s two adult children — Hunter and Ashley…

HT1. For 3 hours, woman desperately holds her trapped horse – then a farmer turns up at the last second

On a Sunday afternoon in Geelong, Australia, a heart-pounding incident unfolded that highlighted both the unpredictability of nature and the incredible bond between humans and animals. Nicole…

Beyonce’s 13-year-old daughter criticized for ‘too bold’ Grammys outfit

The 67th Grammy Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles . Beyoncé, one of the evening’s triumphs , took to the stage with her 13-year-old daughter Blue…

Everything You Need to Know About Wrist Ganglions: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments…

Have you noticed a strange lump on your wrist that seems to come and go? It could be a wrist ganglion, a fluid-filled bump that often appears…

Here’s what you need to know about tonsil stones

Given the overwhelming size and outrageous global reach of the internet, one never has to look too far to find online content that shocks, stuns, amazes or…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *