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

Screenshot of Stephen Colbert
CBS

Stephen Colbert Makes Somber Plea To Americans In Wake Of Charlie Kirk's Death

Late-night host Stephen Colbert had a somber message for Americans as he addressed the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, stressing that "political violence only leads to more political violence."

Kirk died after an unidentified gunman shot him in the neck as he—ironically enough—mocked victims of gun violence at an event in Utah Valley State University. Kirk's murder has galvanized the far-right, with President Donald Trump and his surrogates claiming without evidence that rhetoric from Democrats is responsible for Kirk's death.

Keep ReadingShow less
a woman sunbathing on rocks.
a person sitting on a towel on a beach
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

People Share The Weirdest Flexes They Heard Someone Say With A Straight Face

It is never attractive to gloat.

Even so, some people can't help but brag, or "flex" as it is sometimes known, about certain accomplishments or attributes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @thedowntheredoc's TikTok video
@thedowntheredoc/TikTok

TikToker Hilariously Calls Out Target After Champion Pants Feature Awkwardly-Placed Front Pleat

Sometimes you can just tell when something was designed *for* women, but was not actually designed *by* women.

Take, for instance, the new pleated pants available at Target from the Champion clothing line. While there's nothing wrong with pleated pants and they certainly have a suitable spot in the workplace, the latest rendition of Champion pleated pants are, shall we say, NSFW.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @kaicutch's Instagram video
@kaicutch/Instagram

Woman Flips Her Car After Belting Out Ironic Britney Spears Lyric In Wild Viral Video

Whether we want to admit it or not, we've all had our fair share of carpool karaoke and maybe even imagined our car as our own personal recording studio.

But TikToker and Instagrammer Kaitlynn McCutcheon may have gotten too into her performance of Britney Spears' classic, "Hit Me Baby, One More Time," when the road and her car both said, "Bet."

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from ​@lynnshazeen's TikTok video
@lynnshazeen/TikTok

Woman Goes Viral After Revealing How Her Obsession With Matcha Landed Her In The Hospital

Let's be honest: Too much of anything isn't good for us. It's all about the balance!

But the media and social media trends have taught us that certain things are really good for us, encouraging us to be like the "very mindful and very demure" girls and take care of ourselves. One such example is drinking more matcha, especially if you really like coffee or think you have a caffeine addiction.

Keep ReadingShow less