Introduction
Travis Tritt Publicly Defends Jason Aldean Amid Backlash Over “Try That in a Small Town”
Country legend Travis Tritt is speaking out in support of fellow Georgia native Jason Aldean as controversy continues to grow around Aldean’s single, “Try That in a Small Town.”
On Wednesday (July 19), Tritt took to social media to make his stance clear, praising the song and rejecting accusations that it promotes violence.
Tritt Says the Song Is Being Misinterpreted
“For the record, I love the new @Jason_Aldean single, ‘Try That In A Small Town,’” Tritt wrote on Twitter. “IMO, this song isn’t promoting violence as some have suggested.”
Tritt said he believes the message of the song reflects the frustration many Americans feel after years of seeing unrest, destruction, and rising tensions linked to activist demonstrations. According to him, Aldean’s lyrics highlight how many tight-knit communities would not tolerate that kind of behavior — not that they condone violence.
“It is simply expressing a point of view that many American people share… and the belief shared by millions that this behavior would not be tolerated by many people in many places across the USA,” he added, closing his statement with, “God bless America and all the people in it.”
“Social Media Is Not a Real Place”
In a follow-up post, Tritt reminded Aldean not to let online reactions dictate his decisions.
“Twitter and social media in general is not a real place,” he wrote. “The views shared by many accounts on this platform are not actually representative of the vast majority of the population… Say what you want to say and be who you want to be.”
Tritt and Aldean share a long history. Tritt joined Aldean on the Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour in 2022, and Aldean has often named him as one of his earliest musical heroes.
Aldean Responds to Accusations
Jason Aldean broke his silence following criticism that surged after the music video’s July 14 release. The backlash included claims that the song was “pro-lynching,” “racist,” and a “dog whistle” for right-wing politics.
Aldean rejected the accusations, calling them “meritless” and “dangerous.”
“There is not a single lyric in the song that references race… and not a single video clip that isn’t real news footage,” he said. “This one goes too far.”
Aldean explained that the song reflects the sense of unity he grew up with — a community where people looked out for each other despite differences.
Critics Point to Music Video Imagery
Much of the outrage centered around the music video’s filming location: the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where Henry Choate, an 18-year-old Black man, was lynched in 1927.
Others objected to the video’s montage of riots, looting, and unrest from recent years, calling it politically inflammatory.
Some critics also questioned Aldean’s use of pro-gun lyrics given his experience during the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in 2017 — the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
CMT Removes the Video
On Monday, CMT quietly pulled “Try That in a Small Town” from its rotation, declining to give a public explanation. The network later confirmed the removal but offered no further comment.
Song Continues to Gain Attention
Produced by Michael Knox and written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, and Neil Thrasher, “Try That in a Small Town” was originally released to country radio on May 22.
Despite — or perhaps because of — the controversy, the song continues to dominate headlines nationwide.