Clint Patrick Black was born February 4, 1962, in Long Branch, New Jersey. The youngest of four brothers, Black was subsequently raised in Katy, Texas. By the young age of thirteen, he knew that music was the profession for him. To that end, he began teaching himself how to play various instruments such as the harmonica, guitar, and bass. In order to join his brother’s band and play the demanding club circuit in Houston, Black dropped out of high school without his diploma.
Shortly after, Black teamed up with Hayden Nicholas, and the duo began writing and performing together. They found their chemistry was undeniable, and they were quickly signed to RCA Records. Unlike many struggling musicians before him, Black met with tremendous success early on. His first single, "A Better Man," went straight to #1 on the country charts. In 1989, Black won six awards in six separate categories at the Country Music Association’s awards. His following albums never quite reached the success of his debut work, but they continued to prove lucrative and successful.
By 2003, Black left RCA after a long professional relationship to found his own label known as Equity Music Group. Black’s contribution to country music was deemed so influential he was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Movie-going audiences may recognize Black for his brief stint in the acting business. His film debut was in 1994 beside Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, and Alfred Molina in the western remake Maverick. He also had a supporting role in the 2000 drama Going Home, with Jason Robards and Sherry Stringfield. Comedy fans will recognize him as the masseur in the 2003 film Anger Management, beside Hollywood heavyweights Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Marisa Tomei, and Luis Guzman. He also lent his voice talents to one episode of the animated television series King of the Hill, along with voice regulars Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, and Brittany Murphy.
In his personal life, Black married actress Lisa Hartman on October 20, 1991. Black and Hartman have one child, Lily Pearl, and after nearly sixteen years of marriage, they are still together. The family resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Black also has one daughter from a former relationship.
Black also finds himself in the news for his outspoken support of both George W bush and the war in Iraq. He released the single "I Raq and Roll," which touted his support of the troops and the war in general.
YUDDY
