Town where Jason Aldean's controversial video was filmed defends 'small town values' amid debate

Some Columbia leaders and elected officials are defending Jason Aldean's new song "Try That in a Small Town," while it has met criticism by some such as Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who "hopes" for a more positive message using Columbia as a backdrop.

CMT pulled the video, which was filmed in front of the historic Columbia courthouse, from its viewing rotation.

Although some have criticized the song and video on a national level, saying it has racist undertones, locally elected leaders such as the county mayor and district attorney maintain they support the "small town" message conveyed in the song.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder commented on the song on social media, stating, "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.

"Like many small towns in America, Columbia, Tennessee is focused on bringing people together ... Maybe Eric or Luke or Carrie or Dolly will be the next to record a video in our small town; and they can highlight peace, love and all things that are great about Columbia, Tennessee."

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NAACP member responds to video

Kaliente Glenn, vice president of the Maury County NAACP chapter, gave a statement to The Daily Herald in response to the video.

"Music, freedom of speech and expression go hand in hand. I do hope that anytime our beautiful city of Columbia is represented on a national platform, it shows our small town southern hospitality, unity and why we continue to grow stronger together as one. That's the small town I believe in," Glenn said.

City has grown from 'dark periods'

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt and District Attorney Brent Cooper, 22nd District, argue the video depicts small town residents banding together instead of inciting violence as some have claimed.

“I've spent over 20 years seeking justice in that building behind Mr. Aldean," Cooper said. "I'm proud to say that, in those 20-plus years, the justice sought there has always been sought based on facts and law and not race. Every small town has a past that has dark periods, but I'm proud to say that this small town has changed and grown and is one to be proud of. That's one reason people from all over the country are flocking here.

"As District Attorney for the 'small town' where this video was filmed, I support the message of this song. I support the location of the video shoot. Lawlessness and violence are not welcome here. That's not a controversial message. It's sad that some won't let go of the past.”

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt backed Cooper on social media.

"My office is in the Courthouse in downtown Columbia," Butt said on her mayoral Facebook page. "I plan to keep it there when the new Judicial Center is built. Since I have been in office we have hosted several wonderful events there, and it has been the focal point of many good, wholesome community events and even a great Christmas movie last year."

The video, focusing on the courthouse, is interspersed with news footage depicting violent crimes committed in larger cities like New York, Chicago or Atlanta during the pandemic and during protests after the killing of George Floyd.

Upon its release last week, the video's subject matter and filming location, sparked controversy with some questioning whether the message could be considered racist or containing racial undertones.

Aldean released a statement pushing back against the criticisms regarding the intent of the video.

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Courthouse square 'front porch'

Montee Sneed, chairman of the Columbia Main Street Association, said he's honored Columbia is the location for the video, calling the courthouse square, the county's "front porch" where people like to spend time, tour and take photos.

"Jason Aldean lives close by and honored us by recording his video on our Courthouse Square. It is a video about small town values and strikes a chord with almost everyone with which I visit," Sneed said.

He explained the square continues to attract visitors to Columbia because of its small town character, especially highlighted during the pandemic when the county "stayed free" with open businesses, a county fair and no mask mandate.

"It's more of a rural versus urban message," he said. "During the pandemic, people would walk around and say, 'It's wonderful to be free.' We stayed free during COVID. People from Nashville, Franklin and Huntsville would come down and visit our downtown. That's what put us on the map beyond a 60-mile radius.

"The video was not about race."

Michael Fulbright, longtime resident and chairman of the Maury County School Board, explained his first reaction to the video.

"When I first heard it, I didn't see anything racist or hate related," he said. "I looked at it as pride in our community for all people. Everybody in a small town bands together."

Past and present racial strife

Downtown Columbia has faced recent and past historic racial strife.

Last week, KKK flyers were placed at three Black churches, eliciting strong community pushback to the hate-filled rhetoric, which led to a Santa Fe man's arrest with multiple charges of Civil Rights Intimidation. The incident drew over 100 community faith leaders, elected officials and citizens for a prayer service at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in response.

"God is on our side today," church pastor Kenny Anderson said at the community service last Wednesday.

"Hate has no place here," Columbia Police Chief Jeremy Alsup said at the time before the crowd.

Downtown history and 'race uprising'

Downtown Columbia in Maury County, the fastest growing county in Tennessee according to the 2020 Census, was the site of a 1946 race uprising and 1927 lynching at the courthouse, according to historical records.

The race "uprising" of 1946 occurred when Black residents, who lived and operated businesses on East 8th Street, or "The Bottom," defended themselves when Tennessee State Troopers ransacked the neighborhood, beating residents and destroying businesses. Almost 100 Black residents were arrested and all were later acquitted.

The uprising stemmed from an earlier altercation between a white store owner and a Black Navy veteran named James Stephenson over a broken radio his mother brought into the store with a complaint. When a fight ensued after the store owner insulted his mother, Stephenson pushed the store owner through a store window in the downtown square, leading to his arrest and seminal court case historians say was the catalyst for the later 1960s civil rights movement.

In recent years, U.S. Colored Troops soldiers, who fought in the Civil War were honored at the courthouse. In 2013 and 2015, the collective names of 88 USCT soldiers were added to the Maury County War Memorial on the courthouse grounds.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: At site where Jason Aldean video was filmed, leaders praise heated clip