Clint Black

Clint Black was one of the first new traditional country singers to revive the old soul of country. Many credit him with fusing traditional country songwriting and hook-laden, radio-rock sensibilities to birth more airwave-friendly country music. Black's barbed hooks, Stetson hat, and manly vocals inspired everyone from Garth Brooks to Brother Johnson -- not bad for a high school dropout. Black was signed in 1989 and, starting with his first single, "A Better Man," scored four consecutive No. 1 country singles. Fittingly, he won the Country Music Association's Horizon Award (best new artist). In 1991, Black joined the Grand Ole Opry and married actress Lisa Hartman. He stayed at (or near) the top of the country music charts throughout the '90s and even tried his hand at acting, but when the decade waned, so did his label's commitment. So Black and RCA parted ways, and he started up his own label, Equity Records. In between producing for Nashville Star winner Buddy Jewell, Black saw to his own music, releasing Spend My Time (2004), Drinkin' Songs and Other Logic (2005) and Love Songs (2007). In early 2008, Black released a cover of the Hollies' classic "Long Cool Woman."