Jason Aldean isn’t willing to back down from something he believes in, at least not anymore. The 46-year-old received a lot of backlash for his “Try That in a Small Town” single, after the video was released. At one time, Aldean might have rescinded the video — which CMT decided not to air — and perhaps even the song, but not at this point in his life and career.
“I think as a new artist, you’re told not to stir the pot,” Aldean says on Country Countdown USA. “I’m older now, and I’m not going to be quiet. I think that may have rubbed people the wrong way. On the flip side, I feel like I’ve gotten new fans. So I’m at a point in my career where I’m not going to be intimidated. I don’t feel what I’m saying is wrong, so I’m not going to feel guilty about it.”
Some may have disagreed with the message, intended or not, behind “Try That in a Small Town,” but the song still became a No. 1 hit, and Aldean’s first chart-topping single on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Try That in a Small Town” is from Aldean’s Highway Desperado album, out on November 3. The song, written by his band members Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, along with Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher, was one Aldean knew he wanted to record the first time he heard it.
“I think for me, I heard this song, and it just kind of explained to me what’s going on in the world,” Aldean said on The Bobby Bones Show. “It resonated with me, I guess is a better word, because of what’s going on in the world. But it’s like, every day, you turn on the news, and you see something else crazy that’s happening, or some heartbreaking story. This is a song that talks about, you wouldn’t get away with that stuff in a small town.
“It’s just a different mindset and different kind of values in small-town America that I wish everybody else would adopt, and probably help some of the things that are going on in the world,” he added.
“Try That in a Small Town” and all of the songs on Highway Desperado, were recorded with Aldean thinking about his concerts, and how it would feel to perform them live.
“I think when I look back on it, I built my career early on my live show, and have been on the road touring since I was 18 years old,” Aldean said when the album was announced. “For us, touring is our favorite part. Getting on the bus and going town to town and playing our shows and doing our thing and seeing the fans… the title for the tour and album was really inspired from that.”
See a track list for Highway Desperado below. Aldean is currently on his Highway Desperado Tour, with Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent and Dee Jay Silver serving as his opening acts. The tour wraps up later this month. Find music and tour dates, and pre-order Highway Desperado, at JasonAldean.com.
Highway Desperado Track Listing:
1. Tough Crowd – Kurt Allison, Marv Green, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
2. Let Your Boys Be Country – Jaron Boyer, Allison Veltz Cruz, Micah Wilshire
3. Knew You’d Come Around – Kurt Allison, Ben Hayslip, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
4. Hungover In A Hotel – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, David Lee Murphy, Neil Thrasher
5. Try That In A Small Town – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
6. Whiskey Drink – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
7. Whose Rearview – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughn
8. I’m Over You – Josh Phillips, Michael Tyler, Micah Wilshire
9. Rather Watch You – Jessi Alexander, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
10. Breakup Breakdown – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan
11. Get Away From You – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughn
12. Changing Bars – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
13. From This Beer On – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
14. Highway Desperado – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
Photo Credit: Courtesy of BBR Music Group / Brian Higbee