Clint Patrick Black was born on February 4, 1962, in Long Branch, New Jersey, to G.A. Black and Ann Black. He spent most of his childhood in Katy, Texas, growing up with his three older brothers. From an early age, Black showed a deep interest in music. By the age of 13, he had learned to play the harmonica, and a year later, his parents recognized his strong vocal abilities. By the time he turned 15, he had become proficient at playing the guitar. He began writing his own songs as a teenager and eventually dropped out of high school to perform with his brothers’ band.

Early Career and Collaboration with Hayden Nicholas

Black soon transitioned to performing solo at local bars, clubs, and coffeehouses. To support himself, he worked a variety of jobs, including as a fishing guide, bait cutter, and construction worker. In 1987, he met Hayden Nicholas, a guitarist and songwriter. This partnership proved instrumental to his career. Together, they recorded demo tapes that were submitted to music promoter Sammy Alfano. Alfano then shared their work with Bill Ham, best known for managing ZZ Top. Impressed by the demos, Ham arranged a meeting with Black and helped him secure a recording contract with RCA Records, one of the most prominent labels in country music at the time.