Clint Black Looks Back on Career and 'Scrappy' Blue-Collar Roots in New Memoir: 'Not All Champagne and Roses' (Exclusive)

Daniela AvilaThu, May 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Clint Black
Credit: Russ Harrington; HarperCollins Publishers -

Clint Black reflects on his blue-collar upbringing and perseverance in his new memoir Killin' Time: My Life and Music

The book shares personal highs and lows, including career milestones and family struggles

Black continues touring and creating music, crediting his family as his greatest accomplishment after decades of success

Clint Black is ready to pull back the curtain on his life and career.

Nearly four decades into his career, the country star has chronicled his life and career in his new memoir Killin' Time: My Life and Music, out May 19. In this week's issue of PEOPLE, Black opened up about his decision to detail the highs and lows — and introduce readers to the man he is offstage.

"This is the life of a child of a blue collar family, coming up with a little education, and really making a good go of it, persevering through just determination," Black, 64, says.

He continues, "I was just a scrappy little kid, trying not to drown, finding my way into the nightclubs and then the record business. [I was] pushing through hurdle after hurdle, injury after injury, surgery after surgery, and all those things that happen in every life and continuing to strive for excellence."

In the book, Black candidly recounts the hardships he's faced in his lifetime — like pregnancy losses with his wife of 34 years, Lisa Hartman Black, and his father's suicide. The book also details Black's happiest moments, including how he defied odds with his breakthrough hit "A Better Man" and the birth of his daughter Lily, 25.

"It's not all champagne and roses, folks," he says of his journey. "It's a regular life, sometimes lived in the spotlight."

These days, Black continues to tour throughout the country on his Black on the Blacktop Tour and continues to work on new music, which he plans to record when the tour is over.

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"I practice my guitar still every day. I'm getting better every day," he says.

With over 20 million records sold and 22 No. 1 career singles after the release of his hit album Killin' Time, Black says his biggest accomplishment is a no-brainer: his family.

Clint Black Killin' Time Cover Art
Credit: HarperCollins Publishers

"Having a career and having a good family, to me, that's what I would get weepy about," he says. "Being lucky and feeling like I'm a good dad and a good husband."

"Everything else is ... That's everybody on my team. We've all accomplished that together. But being a good dad and a husband, I can take credit for that," he says.

Killin' Time: My Life and Music is out May 19.

For more from Black, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”