A Better Man


Stereo: http://... Norris sings A Better Man by Clint Black.A country music traditionalist from Texas, Clint Black was one of the first artists to kick-start the mass-market popularity of country in the '90s. Black is also one of the first artists of a generation that was equally inspired by rock-oriented pop -- like '70s singer/songwriters and '60s rock&roll -- as well as country artists like Merle Haggard, Bob Wills, and George Jones. He offered a shiny, marketable version of traditional country and in the process paved the way for a new generation of country artists, particularly Garth Brooks. After Brooks broke through into the pop mainstream, Black's career began to fade somewhat, but he remained one of the most popular and acclaimed vocalists of the '90s.Black was born in New Jersey but raised in Katy, TX, a suburb of Houston. As a child, he listened to both country and rock&roll, but he didn't begin playing guitar until the age of 13, when he started playing harmonica. Two years later, he began writing songs, as well as performing in his brother Kevin's band, where he played bass and sang. In the early '80s, he began busking on the streets of Katy, eventually working his way into coffeehouses, bars, and nightclubs.In 1987, Clint met Hayden Nicholas, a guitarist and songwriter who had a home studio. Nicholas and Black began collaborating together, writing songs and recording demos; Nicholas would become the bandleader for Black, playing lead guitar and co-writing a large majority of his hit singles. A tape of their songs made its way to Bill Ham, the manager of ZZ Top. Impressed with the tape, Ham became Black's manager; the singer had a contract with RCA Nashville by the end of 1988.

"A Better Man," Black's first single, was released early in 1989 and it went to number one -- he was the first new male country artist to have a number one hit with his debut single in 15 years. Black was an immediate sensation throughout country music and he played the Grand Ole Opry in April, one month before his debut album, Killin' Time, was released. Killin' Time was an immediate hit, going gold within six months and spawning four other hit singles, including the number ones "Killin' Time," "Nobody's Home," and "Walkin' Away." At the end of 1989, he won the Country Music Association's Horizon Award, as well that organization's Best Male Vocalist Award. He also won Best Album, Best Single, Best Male Vocalist, and Best New Male Vocalist awards from the Academy of Country Music and the NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year Award. By the end of 1990, Killin' Time sold over two million copies in America.

Black released his second album, Put Yourself in My Shoes, in 1990. Like the debut, Put Yourself in MyShoes was a major success, spawning four Top Ten hits ("Put Yourself in My Shoes," "One More Payment," and the number ones "Loving Blind" and "Where Are You Now"), selling over two million copies, and peaking at number 18 on the pop charts. Even though it sold well, it didn't receive the same critical acclaim as the debut. Nevertheless, Black was named Best Male Vocalist that same year. Throughout 1990, Black was on tour with Alabama and appearing on television shows across the country. In 1991, several singles from Put Yourself in My Shoes charted and he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.On New Year's Eve of 1991, he married the television actress Lisa Hartman.







Channel: Music
Uploaded: July 30, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Author: bucknorrismusic

Length: 00:03:27
Rating: 5.00
Views: 1107

Tags: Country Buck Clint Black Classic Norris

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Video Comments:
bucknorrismusic (October 23, 2008 at 11:07 pm)
Thank you very much.
armafgan (October 23, 2008 at 8:19 pm)
I like so so much
classican (August 1, 2008 at 8:59 am)
Wonderful job my friend.
bucknorrismusic (July 31, 2008 at 11:30 am)
Thanks Sherry, hugs back.

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