JUST IN: Jason Aldean Forced To Edit ‘Try That In A Small Town’ Video By Fox

Country music megastar Jason Aldean was forced to walk back the use of Black Lives Matter riot footage included in the music video for his surprise hit, “Try That in a Small Town,” after a Fox News affiliate gave his production team a “polite ultimatum” that using the network’s footage is not allowed.

According to numerous reports, specifically TMZ, Fox 5 Atlanta purportedly told Aldean’s video production team that its past footage of BLM riots in the Atlanta area must immediately be edited out of his new music video, raising questions about why the footage was included originally.

Sources familiar with the production process told TMZ that Aldean’s video team originally reached out to Fox 5 Atlanta asking for permission to use six seconds of footage showing violence at a BLM rally. Fox 5 replied asking for more details on how the footage would be used, including lyrics for the song. Instead, the production company sent a link to listen to the song, which has been topping the iTunes charts as listeners relate to its homespun tales of neighbors standing up for one another against unpatriotic forces.

It was then about a week ago that Fox 5 followed up on the exchange with a “polite ultimatum” requesting that the riot clip be removed. The production company complied and put Aldean’s new, edited video up, which finally garnered notice.

The withering pressure on Aldean to back away from his hot new hit has only rallied conservatives and fellow songwriters to the cause. Country music star Brantley Gilbert slammed woke “keyboard warriors” for trying to cancel his friend, saying it’s sad that “we don’t live in a society where people get punched in the face anymore.”

All the ruckus hasn’t stopped Aldean’s hit single from remaining in iTunes’ number-one spot since July 17th. The unlikely success of the song has prompted a Republican governor to invite Aldean to perform at a public event while President Donald Trump added he thinks Aldean is a “terrific guy.” The defense came following a decision by Country Music Television to remove the music video for “Try That in a Small Town” over its inclusion of footage from left-wing riots. It’s unknown whether CMT, which is owned by Paramount, will allow the new, edited version of the video to return.