County music singer Jason Aldean’s song, “Try That in a Small Town,” hit #1 on iTunes after being pulled from CMT Tuesday.
The video for the song was released on July 14, per Billboard, and began rotation on CMT on July 16. It was removed after backlash as some decried the video as “racist,” via the Western Journal.
Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" has reached #1 on US iTunes. pic.twitter.com/PXZa31xpp4
— Billboard Charts (@billboardnewsb) July 19, 2023
Despite the controversy, fans are rallying around the song and have expressed support.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) posted a video expressing her thoughts on the situation.
She said, “I was so impressed with the song because it talked about the value of small towns and how we have our priorities right.”
My thoughts on “Try that in a Small Town”…. @Jason_Aldean pic.twitter.com/umJ8qFvy2o
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 19, 2023
“I am shocked by what I am seeing in this country with people trying to cancel the song and cancel Jason,” she added.
Rep. Lauren Boebart (R-Colo.) shared the news of the song’s success on iTunes and wrote, “Whenever they try and censor us, we only go stronger.”
The iTunes charts have spoken – Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" is number one.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 19, 2023
Whenever they try and censor us, we only go stronger.
Time for CMT to get the Bud Light treatment. pic.twitter.com/NW3EpJSp7y
Country music star Travis Tritt stated, “I love the new @Jason_Aldean single.”
For the record, I love the new @Jason_Aldean single, “Try That In A Small Town”. IMO, this song isn’t promoting violence as some have suggested. It is simply expressing a point of view that many American people share which is against the obvious violence that we have seen from…
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) July 19, 2023
He went on to note, “This song isn’t promoting violence as some have suggested. It is simply expressing a point of view that many American people share which is against the obvious violence that we have seen from the likes of so many ‘activists groups’ in this country.”
Even former President Donald Trump posted about the song on Truth Social.
He said, “Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!”