Sheryl Crow has joined the conversation surrounding Jason Aldean’s controversial new song, ‘Try That in a Small Town,’ calling out the country singer for promoting violence. Crow, who hails from a small town herself, took to Twitter to express her disappointment in Aldean’s lyrics. She stated that there is nothing small-town or American about promoting violence and that Aldean should know better, having survived a mass shooting himself.

Aldean, who was on stage during the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, responded to the backlash in a statement on Twitter. He denied that the song promotes violence and explained that it is about the sense of community he experienced growing up in a small town. Aldean also addressed the accusations of racism, stating that there is not a single lyric in the song that references race.

The controversy surrounding ‘Try That in a Small Town’ intensified with the release of its music video. The video, which was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, features footage of protests and riots projected onto the building. The courthouse is known for its history of racial violence, including the lynching of an African American man in 1927.

CMT, the country music television network, has since pulled the music video from its programming. The decision was made following the backlash and criticism from viewers who found the video’s content offensive and inappropriate.

While Aldean has received support from some fans, including his wife Brittany Aldean, who defended him on Instagram, the controversy surrounding the song and its music video continues to divide opinions. Critics argue that the lyrics and visuals promote violence and racism, while Aldean maintains that the song is about community and unity.