Columbia mayor responds to controversial Jason Aldean music video shot in downtown square
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WZTV) — The mayor of a small Middle Tennessee city where Jason Aldean shot his controversial music video is hoping the next project filmed in Columbia will "highlight peace."
Aldean's song "Try That in a Small Town" has come under fire for what some are calling "pro-lynching undertones"— which the singer has denied. It was shot in Columbia's downtown square andincludes lyrics warning criminals who try to disturb the peace that citizens of small U.S. towns won't allow it. CMT has since pulled the video from their service.
Mayor Chaz Molder says while he does respect Aldean's "freedom of his own lyrics," he does hope the next music video filmed in Columbia will "seek a more positive message."
"Like many small towns across America, Columbia, Tennessee is focused on bringing people together," Molder told FOX 17 News. "I hadn’t listened to the song prior to today, but I’ve now seen the video."
"I respect the artist’s freedom of his own lyrics and the fans who support him, but I’m hopeful that the next music video that uses our historic downtown as a backdrop will seek a more positive message. Maybe Eric or Luke or Carrie or Dolly will be next to record a video in our small town; and they can highlight peace, love and all the things that are great about Columbia, Tennessee." -Mayor Molder
Aldean defended his song as an ode to small town camaraderie. Read his full message below.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. 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.
Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about.
ALSO READ |Jason Aldean defends song pulled from CMT after pro-lynching allegations: 'Meritless'
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