Jason Aldean's Song 'Small Town' to Air on ABC's 'CMA Fest'
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ABC won't edit Jason Aldean's controversial hit, "Try That in a Small Town," at Wednesday's "CMA Fest," but viewers won't see a still from the music video...sources tell TMZ.
"CMA Fest" was filmed between June 8 and June 11 at various locations in Nashville. Aldean was one of the headliners, who sang the chart-topping song.
The song has become a lightning rod because of the lyrics combined with the new music video, featuring images of Black Lives Matter protests, burning flags and assaults on police. The music video was also shot outside the same courthouse where there was a brutal lynching years ago. People on social media ripped Aldean, saying his song is a right-wing dog whistle.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that ABC will air Aldean's performance but no music video will appear on the show. For the record, the clip was released after the festival. ABC could have used the music video in the open show or in promos, but our sources say the network made a tough call about it.
Aldean defended the song, saying it has nothing to do with BLM, but rather is an anthem honoring neighbors helping each other in small towns.
Obviously not everyone is buying it, but there are enough people to propel the song to #1 on iTunes.
We discussed the controversy surrounding the song on the latest episode of the TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
Getty
ABC won't edit Jason Aldean's controversial hit, "Try That in a Small Town," at Wednesday's "CMA Fest," but viewers won't see a still from the music video...sources tell TMZ.
"CMA Fest" was filmed between June 8 and June 11 at various locations in Nashville. Aldean was one of the headliners, who sang the chart-topping song.
The song has become a lightning rod because of the lyrics combined with the new music video, featuring images of Black Lives Matter protests, burning flags and assaults on police. The music video was also shot outside the same courthouse where there was a brutal lynching years ago. People on social media ripped Aldean, saying his song is a right-wing dog whistle.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that ABC will air Aldean's performance but no music video will appear on the show. For the record, the clip was released after the festival. ABC could have used the music video in the open show or in promos, but our sources say the network made a tough call about it.
Aldean defended the song, saying it has nothing to do with BLM, but rather is an anthem honoring neighbors helping each other in small towns.
Obviously not everyone is buying it, but there are enough people to propel the song to #1 on iTunes.
We discussed the controversy surrounding the song on the latest episode of the TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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