Dolly Parton, 75 years old, country Music icon, often caricatured, objectified, mocked, has everything to represent the eternal, white and patriotic America dear to Donald Trump, even if she has never formally taken a position for one or other of the candidates. This is an America in the traditional sense of the term that is on display here, a career as long as an arm and admirers almost everywhere. And precisely, among her admirers, a certain Beyoncé, a divisive and activist figure. The superstar appears with Kamala Harris, on the strength of her very notable musical turn this year with Cowboy Carter.
The native Texan shows once again, in addition to her talent, that country music has also, since its origins, been worked on by black artists. But its emergence into the landscape did not come without comments, often negative, despite the immense success of the album. To the point that she wasn’t even nominated for the last Country Music Awards.
And while she appeared on her album, Dolly Parton defended this choice, saying that everyone should stay in their lane. Definitely, country music implicitly tells the story of the racist divide that has been established in the heart of the United States.
Jason Aldean, born in Georgia 47 years ago, certainly not the best known country singer, until this single Try That In A Small Town where the singer talks about burglaries, thefts in convenience stores, burning American flags or everyday attacks. Jason Aldean claims to be a white America, attached to its weapons, patriotic and proud of its roots, a Trumpist America.
Donald Trump appears in a meeting with his champion Jason Aldean, alongside Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan. The clip for his hit, now close to 70 million views on YouTube, was filmed in front of the court in Columbia, Tennessee. 100 years ago, Henry Choate, an 18-year-old African-American, was lynched there by a mob. Country music also tells the story of America’s demons.
