Jason Aldean Returns To CMT Music Awards Stage Following Ban

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Jason Aldean made a triumphant return to the CMT Music Awards stage Sunday night (April 7) with a performance of his hit song, “Let Your Boys Be Country.”

Jason Aldean marked his 9th performance at the annual fan-voted awards show Sunday night. His appearance marks the first since his 2023 ban and the backlash that surrounded the release of “Try That In A Small Town.”

Aldean was at the center of controversy following the release of the music video for “Try That In A Small Town” as critics claimed that it promoted gun violence and racist ideology. CMT originally aired the music video, but pulled it from rotation after backlash.

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The controversy appears to be water under the bridge for both Jason Aldean and CMT as proven by his appearance at this year’s event. Jason took the stage to sing his 2023 release, “Let Your Boys Be Country.” The video for the song was nominated for the CMT Music Awards’ Music Video of the Year award.

About “Let Your Boys Be Country”

The song, a single from Aldean’s Highway Desperado album, calls on parents to let their boys enjoy everything country life has to offer. The singer mentions working hard and playing hard, but doesn’t discount the importance of manners and having “their brothers’ backs.”

In an interview with American Songwriter, Aldean said that the song is a testament to his responsibility to teach his young son what is expected of him as an adult.

“Little boys grow up to be men that are supposed to get married and take care of their family and be providers.” Aldean, 47, added, “As parents, you gotta raise ’em to be that. To me, it was a song that hit home when it comes to thinking about him being little and what’s in store for him later.”

The video for “Let Your Boys Be Country” features Jason Aldean’s 6-year-old son, Memphis, and shows the father-son duo hunting and fishing together. Other cameos include Aldean’s wife, Brittany, and daughter, Navy, as well as Luke Bryan and his sons and some of the cast of Duck Dynasty.

Watch Jason Aldean’s performance of “Let Your Boys Be Country” at the 2024 CMT Music Awards in the video below, then scroll down for the official music video.