Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sheryl Crow Slams Vegas Shooting Survivor Jason Aldean For His New Pro-Gun Country Song

Sheryl Crow; Jason Aldean
Getty Images for Love Rocks NYC/God's Love We Deliver; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Crow chastised Aldean on Twitter over his song 'Try That in a Small Town' for 'promoting violence' with lyrics implying that you'll be shot if you try to take their guns.

The release of Jason Aldean's music video for his song "Try That in a Small Town" has sparked controversy, with prominent figures like fellow musician Sheryl Crow joining the chorus of criticism. The video was shot in front of a courthouse in Colombia, Tennessee, where a Black man was lynched in the 1920s, raising concerns about its troubling imagery and lyrics.

The song's lyrics have been widely accused of promoting gun violence, but Aldean has vehemently denied these claims. Despite his denials, the video's content has led to its removal from CMT due to its offensive portrayal of violent protests juxtaposed with Aldean's performance on the steps of the courthouse.


Crow took to Twitter to express her disapproval of the music video and its message. Being from a small town herself, she argued that even residents of such communities are fed up with violence.

Crow addressed Aldean directly, highlighting the contradiction in promoting violence while representing small-town America. She reminded him of his own experience surviving a mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, which claimed the lives of 60 people and left hundreds injured.

She wrote:

"I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence. There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting."
"This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame."

You can see her tweet below.

Many have praised Crow for speaking out.


In response to the accusations, Aldean defended himself on Twitter, rejecting the label of a "pro-lynching song" and dismissing claims that the song incites violence. He emphasized that the song had been released in May and gained attention only after the controversial music video's debut.

The music video, featuring the Tennessee courthouse with a history of lynching, coupled with lyrics advocating confrontation with demonstrators, has drawn sharp criticism.

Still, Aldean wrote:

"There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far."
"As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91-where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart."

Aldean attempted to reinterpret "Try That in a Small Town" as a song reflecting the sense of "community" he experienced growing up, emphasizing the unity among neighbors, regardless of differences.

However, critics argue that the video's content and messaging overshadow any intended positive interpretation at a time when many around the nation are pushing for comprehensive gun control measures in response to a spate of increasingly common mass shootings.

More from Trending

Everyday English textbook
Ivan Shilov on Unsplash

Bilingual People Break Down The Hardest Things About Learning English

Polyglots or bilingual people whose first language was not English often list the language as one of the most difficult to learn.

English has many rules, but a multitude of exceptions to each rule and some pronunciations that defy every rule. It can also be very difficult for ESL learners to understand the idioms and phrases common in English-speaking countries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jasmine Crockett; Pam Bondi
MSNBC; Fox News

Jasmine Crockett Fires Back At Pam Bondi After She Threatened Her Over Musk Criticism

Republican President Donald Trump's Attorney General, Pam Bondi, followed the Trump administration's playbook by targeting a member of Congress to protect a billionaire Trump donor.

During a Sunday interview on Fox News with Maria Bartiromo, Bondi defended Elon Musk and Tesla while criticizing Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett.

Keep ReadingShow less
Former coach Jim Zulio pulling player Hailey Monroe's hair
@CBS6 Albany/YouTube

High School Coach Fired After He's Caught On Camera Yanking Female Athlete's Ponytail

A Northville Central High School basketball coach was fired shortly after he yanked on a player's ponytail—and the whole incident was caught on camera.

The Falcons had just lost to Hudson Valley Community College, La Fargeville, and the Falcons were watching the winning team's players celebrating on the field.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Isaac Wasserman/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Musk's Dad Claims Elon Isn't Racist Due To Past Friendships With Family's 'Black Servants'

Tech billionaire Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, argued there's no way his son could be racist due to his past relationships with the "black servants" who worked for the family in apartheid South Africa.

After the Tesla CEO faced scrutiny for criticizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Errol Musk was confronted by inquiries about his son's animosity toward the program.

Keep ReadingShow less
Teen getting haircut with a trimmer
Tatsiana Volkava/GettyImages

Arkansas GOP Ripped Over Bill Banning 'Gender-Nonconforming' Haircuts For Minors

Arkansas Republicans are being lambasted for introducing a bill that could punish people for supporting transgender youth's social transitions, such as the use of preferred names or pronouns, and giving gender-nonconforming haircuts.

House Bill 1668, the "Vulnerable Youth Protection Act," would allow minors and their parents to sue anyone who acknowledges another minor's gender identity.

Keep ReadingShow less