Jason Aldean’s latest song, “Try That in a Small Town,” drew criticism from listeners and members of the media for lyrics and a music video perceived as racist and violent. Released in May, the song includes lyrics that allude to violence against outsiders who offend “good ol’ boys” in a small town, and the music video, released on July 14, 2023, took place at a courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where a lynching occurred in 1927. CMT stopped broadcasting the video in response to the backlash.
Country music superstar Jason Aldean spent his first years in the music business toiling in obscurity. He broke out with a self-titled album in 2005, and over the following years, he has become one of country’s top acts on the strength of acclaimed albums like Wide Open and My Kinda Party. Following a decade of hits, he garnered his first Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Award in 2016.
Jason Aldean was born Jason Aldine Williams on February 28, 1977, in Macon, Georgia. He continued to live with his mom, Debbie, after his parents split when he was 3, and spent summers with his dad, Barry, in Florida.
Aldean honed his musical talents at an early age and made his first public appearance as a singer at age 14. He also was a star baseball player at Windsor Academy, drawing the interest of college teams. However, rather than accept an athletic scholarship, he elected to pursue music after high school.
With his father working as his booking agent, Aldean began landing gigs in bars and other small venues throughout the Southeast. He seemingly hit the big time by signing with Warner-Chapell Publishing, prompting a move to Nashville in 1998, but instead found his career stalling. Another contract, with Capitol Records Nashville, also failed to produce an album.
