Clint Black burst onto the country scene in 1989 with a debut album so confident, so fully formed, it felt impossible it was a first record. Killin’ Time sent five singles to #1 and rewrote what was possible for a new artist in Nashville.
What followed was a career defined not just by hits but by craft - a songwriter’s ear, a producer’s instinct, and a performer’s command of the stage. From sold-out arenas to intimate theater runs, Clint has spent three decades doing it his way.
Today, he’s added “author” to the list. The new memoir is the latest chapter in a story that’s still being written.
Clint Patrick Black is born in Long Branch, New Jersey, the youngest of four, to Ann and Gwin Augusta (GA) Black but moved to Katy, Texas soon after where he was raised.
Clint teaches himself to play harmonica.
Clint learns to play guitar and wrote his very first song and forms a band with his three brothers.
Gets a solo performing gig at the Sweetwater Country Club in Sugarland, TX where he meets Hayden Nicholas.
Signs with RCA Nashville.
Releases his debut single, "A Better Man."
Makes his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.
Debut album, Killin' Time, is released on RCA Nashville.
"A Better Man" tops the charts becoming Clint's first #1 hit.
Second single, "Killin' Time" is released.
Killin' Time tops Billboard Country Albums chart.
Wins the Horizon Award at the 23rd Annual Country Music Association Awards.
Third single, "Nobody's Home" is released.
"Nobody's Home" tops the charts.
Wins the award for Favorite Country New Artist at the American Music Awards.
Clint's debut album Killin' Time is certified platinum by the RIAA.
Clint meets actress and singer, Lisa Hartman, backstage following Clint’s concert in Houston, Texas.
First GRAMMY nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Killin' Time" and Best Country Song for "A Better Man."
Wins ACM Album of the Year for Killin' Time, Single Record of the Year for "Better Man," Top Male Vocalist, and Top New Male Vocalist.
Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
"Walkin' Away" reaches #1.
"Nothing's News" goes #1.
Better Man marks 30 weeks at #1 on Billboard Country Albums chart.
Wins Male Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards.
Wins "Top Single," "Top Album" and "Top Singles Artist of the Year" by Billboard Magazine.
Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Put Yourself In My Shoes is released by RCA Nashville.
Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by friend and fellow Opry member, Steve Wariner.
Put Yourself In My Shoes spends five weeks at #1 on Billboard Country Albums chart.
Launches Put Yourself In My Shoes Tour.
"Loving Blind" goes #1.
Put Yourself in My Shoes is certified platinum by the RIAA.
"Where Are You Now" tops the charts.
Marries Lisa Hartman in an intimate ceremony in his hometown of Katy, Texas.
Put Yourself In My Shoes awarded double platinum status.
Performs and co-stars in Montana Christmas Skies.
GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration for "Hold On Partner" with Roy Rodgers.
Co-hosts the ACM awards with Lorrie Morgan and Travis Tritt.
The Hard Way is released by RCA Nashville.
Featured alongside a host of country superstars on the George Jones hit, "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair."
The Hard Way is certified platinum by the RIAA.
Performs at the 6th Commitment to Life Concert Benefit at Universal Amphitheater in L.A.
Performs on Bob Hope's Four-Star Christmas Fiesta from San Antonio.
Lisa and Clint have a USO Press Conference to Announce Somalia Tour for U.S. Troops in L.A.
Launches USO Somalia tour for military personnel during Operation Restore Hope humanitarian mission.
"When My Ship Comes In" goes #1.
Embarked on The Black and Wy Tour, co-headlining with Wynonna Judd.
Releases "A Bad Goodbye" with Wynonna Judd.
No Time to Kill is released by RCA Nashville.
Co-hosts the CMA Awards ceremony alongside Vince Gill.
Wins CMA Vocal Event of the Year for “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.”
Launches No Time to Kill tour.
No Time to Kill is certified platinum by the RIAA.
Performs at the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show, now known as the "Rockin' Country Sunday” Halftime Show and features performances from Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Wynonna, and Naomi Judd.
GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration for "A Bad Goodbye" with Wynonna Judd.
"A Good Run of Bad Luck" tops the charts.
Appears in the film, Maverick, as a sweet-faced gambler.
Killin' Time is certified platinum for the second time by the RIAA.
Launches One Emotion tour.
One Emotion is released by RCA Nashville.
Wins CMA Album of the Year for Common Thread: The Songs of The Eagles.
"Summer's Comin'" tops the charts.
Looking for Christmas is released by RCA Nashville.
One Emotion is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
The Greatest Hits is released by RCA Nashville.
"Like the Rain" tops the charts.
The Greatest Hits is certified both gold and platinum by the RIAA.
Receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
GRAMMY nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Like The Rain."
Put Yourself in My Shoes is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Nothin' but the Taillights is released by RCA Nashville.
Nothin' But the Taillights certified gold by the RIAA.
Launches Nothing' But the Taillights tour.
GRAMMY Nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Still Holding On" with Martina McBride
and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Something That We Do."
"Nothin' But the Taillights" tops the charts.
Stars in Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack, a TV film on airing on CBS.
"The Shoes You're Wearing" tops the charts for a week.
Wins GRAMMY for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Same Old Train,” and nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Nothin' But The Taillights."
Won ACM Vocal Event of the Year for "When I Say I Do."
Greatest Hits is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Nothin' But The Taillights is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
D'lectrified is released by RCA Nashville.
Launches D'lectrified tour.
"When I Said I Do" tops the charts.
GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "When I Said I Do" with Lisa Hartman Black.
Clint plays Dr. Warren in "Going Home" movie.
D'lectrified is certified Gold by the RIAA.
Wins ACM Vocal Event of the Year for “When I Said I Do,” alongside Lisa Hartman Black.
Clint and wife, Lisa Hartman Black, welcome their daughter, Lily Pearl Black.
Greatest Hits Vol. 2 is released.
"Like The Rain" certified gold by the RIAA.
Founds Equity Music Group, his own independent record label.
Appears in Anger Management featuring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson.
Makes cameo in The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch.
Hosts and performs during Christmas in Cowboy Country.
Spend My Time is released by Equity Music Group.
Christmas with You is released by Equity Music Group.
GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Hey Good Lookin'" with Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and George Strait.
Drinkin' Songs and Other Logic is released by Equity Music Group.
The Love Songs is released by Equity Music Group.
The Long Cool EP is released by Equity Music Group.
Appears on Season 2 of Celebrity Apprentice, placing fifth.
Clint stars in Flicka 2 as ranch hand, Toby.
Clint stars in Flicka: Country Pride alongside wife, Lisa Hartman Black, and daughter, Lily Pearl Black.
Clint Black with Strings is released, a Cracker Barrel exclusive with re-recorded hits and three new songs.
Clint signs with Thirty Tigers.
On Purpose is released by Thirty Tigers.
Launches 30th Anniversary of Killin' Time Tour.
Launches Hits. Hats. History. Tour with Trace Adkins.
Receives his star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.
Still Killin' Time (Live) is released.
Out of Sane is released by Thirty Tigers.
Launches Clint Black's Cowboy Coffee.
Launches his "Talking in Circles" podcast.
Launches Mostly Hits & The Mrs. Tour with his wife, Lisa Hartman Black.
When I Said I Do, Like the Rain, and Better Man are certified Gold by the RIAA. Killin’ Time is certified Platinum for the third time by the RIAA.
When I Said I Do, Like the Rain, and Better Man are certified Gold by the RIAA. Killin’ Time is certified Platinum for the third time by the RIAA.
Accepts the ACM Poet's Award at the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors in Nashville.
Launches Killin' Time 35th Anniversary Tour.
Launches first leg of the Back on the Blacktop Tour.
Featured on Opry 100: A Live Celebration.
Clint is honored with the BMI Icon Award.
Receives the Country Radio Broadcasters Career Achievement Award during Country Radio Seminar.
The Country Music Hall of Fame opens a new exhibit, Clint Black: The Hard Way on Purpose.
"In the Blind Podcast" - Country Music Legend Clint Black Talks Career, Mental Health & New Memoir.
Clint releases his memoir, Killin' Time: My Life and Music.
Appears for the first time on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black executive produce and make special appearances in Lifetime film When I Said I Do.
Launches Back on the Blacktop Tour.
Clint Black & Midland Co-Headlining Tour launches.
