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Jason Aldean Dismisses Tour Crew Members Over Criticism of “Try That in a Small Town”
Country singer Jason Aldean said that several members of his touring crew had been vocal in criticizing his 2023 single “Try That in a Small Town.” He announced on a July 27 episode of the “Try That in a Small Town” podcast that those employees are no longer on his payroll, implying they were dismissed for “bad‑mouthing” him and the crew.
The podcast featured the song’s co‑writers Kurt Allison, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher and bassist Tully Kennedy, as well as longtime tour manager Jake LaGrone. Aldean explained that, while he provides meals, transportation and a paycheck, crew members who complain on the tour bus must leave.
The single has been contentious: its video was filmed at Tennessee’s Maury County Courthouse, the site of a 1927 lynching, and drew accusations of racist dog‑whistling and glorifying vigilante justice. In response, CMT pulled the video from its rotation.
Entities
Jason Aldean · Kurt Allison · Maury County Courthouse · Try That in a Small Town · Tully Kennedy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Critics accused the video of racist dog‑whistling and CMT subsequently pulled it from rotation. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The music video for “Try That in a Small Town” was filmed at Tennessee’s Maury County Courthouse, a site of a 1927 lynching. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The discussion took place on a July 27 episode of the “Try That in a Small Town” podcast. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Aldean implied the crew members were dismissed for bad‑mouthing him. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Jason Aldean said some members of his touring crew were vocal in criticizing his song “Try That in a Small Town”. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Co‑writers Kurt Allison, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher and bassist Tully Kennedy appeared on the podcast. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Tour manager Jake LaGrone also appeared on the podcast. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Those crew members are no longer employed by Aldean. theboot.com · klaw.com · kxrb.com · y95country.com · mybeachradio.com