Jason Aldean On Speaking His Mind: ‘I’m Not Going To Be Quiet’

When Jason Aldean first burst onto the country music scene in 2005 he was advised to avoid controversy. As a new artist, he says he was told to avoid making waves, but now that he’s nearly two decades into his career, he’s decided that he’s no longer going to be holding his opinions back.    

The Georgia native opened up about his newfound way of thinking while co-hosting Country Countdown USA alongside Lon Helton over the weekend. When Helton asked Aldean if the controversy surrounding his hit, “Try That In A Small Town,” impacted him, the singer held nothing back. 

Unfiltered Opinions

“I think as a new artist, you’re told not to stir the pot. I’m older now, and I’m not going to be quiet,” he said, calling in from California while on his Highway Desperado Tour. “I think that may have rubbed people the wrong way.”

While he recognized that he may have offended some people, he also pointed out that he’s gained some fans along the 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,” he declared. “I don’t feel what I’m saying is wrong, so I’m not going to feel guilty about it.”

“Try That In A Small Town” Nearing The Top Of The Charts

“Try That In A Small Town,” Aldean’s song that caused quite the stir online upon the release of the music video, is nearing the top of the country radio charts. In August, Aldean celebrated his first-ever Billboard Hot 100 when the song claimed the No.1 spot on the all-genre chart. 

New Album Will Be Released On November 3

The song will be featured on Aldean’s forthcoming new album, HIGHWAY DESPERDO, arriving on November 3. The 14-track project is the superstar’s 11th studio release and includes three tracks co-written by Aldean. 

The album’s title drew inspiration from his recent sold-out headlining arena tour and his early years as a touring artist.

“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. 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,” he previously shared in a statement. 

Previewed New Songs

Ahead of the project’s November 3 release, Aldean gave fans a taste of his new music with the release of songs like “Let Your Boys Be Country,” “Tough Crowd,” and the recently released “Whiskey Drink.” 

The latter is a mid-tempo breakup song that finds Aldean begging his “Whiskey Drink” to help him drown out the memories of his ex. While he recognizes, “it might take all night/ to get her off my mind,” he’s determined to let the intoxication take hold as he attempts to erase the painful memories.  It was co-written by Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, and John Morgan. 

“Come on, kick in, whiskey drink/ I don’t wanna think, think, think/ About who she’s with or where she is/ Or how bad I miss her now/ Come on, cigarette/ Yeah, smoke out that regret/ Pour it straight and strong, make her memory gone/ Before you let me leave/ Come on, whiskey drink, oh/ Come on, whiskey drink,” Aldean sings on the chorus. 

Tour Underway

As his fans anticipate the arrival of the album, they can still catch him on tour through October 28 when the trek is set to wrap in Tampa, Florida at the Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre. 

Jason Aldean’s next scheduled tour date is set for October 19 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.