In addition to the lyrics sparking outrage, the accompany music video was also at the center of controversy. Specifically, the filming location in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., a site known for the 1927 mob lynching of an 18-year-old Black man, Henry Choate, and its usage of violent news footage, including clips of protests.
However, the production company behind the video, Tacklebox, refuted the notion that the location was chosen for its racist history and that Aldean had chosen the location.
Production company Tacklebox said in a statement to E! News that it was shot in a “popular filming location outside of Nashville,” citing several music videos and films that have been filmed there, including the Lifetime Original movie “Steppin’ into the Holiday” and the Hannah Montana movie. “Any alternative narrative suggesting the music video’s location decision is false,” the group said, also adding that Aldean did not pick the location of the video.
But amid the controversy, Aldean has received support, including from his wife, Brittany Aldean, who wrote on Instagram July 18 alongside a photo of the couple, “Never apologize for speaking the truth.”
