bergenPAC Presents Clint Black, 5/11

Prolific singer-songwriter Clint Black has long been heralded as one of Country music's brightest stars. His many talents have taken him even further, as Black has transcended genres to become one of the most successful artists in all the music industry. To date, Black has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs, a benchmark in any artist's career. An astounding one-third of these songs eligible for major single release also achieved hit song status at Country radio, while more than 20 million of his albums have been sold worldwide. While it's well-known that Black is an accomplished singer and guitarist, people may be surprised to learn that he is also proficient on drums and harmonica.

Black's continued success can be attributed in part to his deep sense of Country music history, and his humble gratitude in being an important part of it. The 1989 debut of his critically acclaimed fan favorite, the Triple Platinum Killin' Time, marked a shift in the industry, with a return to the more traditional sounds of the genre. CMT lists this album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Country Music.

Released while Black was still an unknown Texas-based artist and writer, Killin' Time boasted five #1 hits - unprecedented from a debut album in any genre - and won Black a collection of awards that included: Country Music Association Horizon Award, Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year, American Music Awards Favorite New Male Country Artist, Academy of Country Music Best New Male Vocalist, Academy of Country Music Best Male Vocalist, Academy of Country Music Album of the Year(Killin' Time), and Academy of Country Music Single of the Year ("A Better Man").

In addition to his established business ventures and various charity foundation efforts, Black branched out even further with an appearance on Donald Trump's hit reality series Celebrity Apprentice. As a result of the friendship on the show between Black and fellow contestant and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, the teammates are working to secure a total of one million dollars in matching fund donations for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF). Black currently serves as Honorary Chair for the IRSF's "Research to Reality: Funding Progress" campaign, which helps to accelerate treatments and research to find a cure for the developmental disorder.

To post a comment, you must register and login.