Jason Aldean paused a concert in Detroit on Sept. 11 to mourn Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA who was shot to death the day before during a speaking engagement in Orem, Utah. Aldean told the crowd he had met Kirk several times, described him as "one of the best people ever" and dedicated a performance of his 2023 single "Try That in a Small Town" to Kirk as attendees erupted in cheers.
"An amazing person by the name of Charlie Kirk was murdered yesterday in Utah," Aldean said from the stage, according to video recorded by an audience member. He urged the crowd that "this is not the guy you go after" and said it was a troubling time when people are targeted for their opinions.
Aldean noted that Kirk and others were among the first to publicly support the message of "Try That in a Small Town" when it was released and drew controversy, including the temporary removal of its music video from Country Music Television. "That’s what it's about," Aldean said of Kirk's reaction at the time, describing a desire for unity and a return to stability for children and communities.
Following the shooting, Aldean also posted on Instagram a photo of himself and his wife, Brittany, with Kirk and wrote that it had been "a hard day not only in our family, but all over the country." In the caption, Aldean called Kirk "one of the kindest, smartest and bravest people I’ve ever met," said Kirk was a "man of peace" and added that his work would "live on forever."
Aldean told the Detroit audience that Kirk's legacy with Turning Point USA and his work with young people would endure despite his death at 31. He framed his remarks around a broader objection to violence and the idea that political disagreement should not lead to lethal attacks.
In interviews last year, Aldean said the song "Try That in a Small Town" resonated with listeners who were weary of what he described as constant chaos and a sense that everyday life had become unsafe. He said people wanted to feel comfortable sending their children to school or going to a movie without fearing violence. The song's release prompted a national debate over its themes and visuals, contributing to its contested reception within country music circles and beyond.
Aldean's onstage tribute followed similar remembrances from public figures in country music and conservative political circles. He closed the moment in Detroit by performing the contested single, telling the audience that Kirk would be "very, very much missed" and that the causes he championed would continue to matter to many Americans.
The shooting in Orem prompted nationwide reactions and condolences to Kirk's family, with public figures across entertainment and political spheres noting his role as a conservative organizer and activist. Aldean's comments and the subsequent performance underscored how Kirk's death has resonated beyond politics and into the cultural realm, where music and public mourning intersect.