What does it take to build a lasting career without letting go of the person—and the songwriter—you are? On takin’ a walk, host Buzz Knight sits down with country music icon Clint Black for a candid encore conversation about hard-won choices, creative conviction, and the stories behind his memoir, Killing Time.

Black looks back on his early years playing Texas clubs, where he learned to value every audience and adapt to every room. Those lessons helped shape a career that would become part of country music history, alongside the influential artists of the Class of ’89. He shares early musical memories, reflects on Nashville’s changing opportunities, and explains why insisting on writing his own songs mattered—even when standing by that belief put him at odds with his record label. For artists, he says, creative freedom and financial security can pull in different directions; the challenge is deciding what matters most.

Writing Killing Time with researcher and collaborator Craig Shelburne meant revisiting more than career milestones. Black describes a process filled with laughter, catharsis, grief, and moments that were emotionally demanding. He also opens up about defending his marriage against false reporting and recounting a serious accident followed by multiple surgeries. These honest reflections make this a compelling story of music and resilience—and a reminder that the journey behind the songs can be as powerful as the songs themselves.

From seeing his life represented in a Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition to continuing to pursue excellence onstage, Black remains focused on what he can control: the work, the performance, and the connection with the audience. He talks about live music as an opportunity to entertain on his own terms, and recalls collaborating with his wife, Lisa, on a Lifetime movie inspired by their song “When I Said I Do. ” He closes on a personal note, sharing his faith and naming Jesus Christ as the person he would most like to take a walk with.

This Clint Black interview brings together career storytelling, artist songwriting stories, music and memories, and revealing inside music stories from a defining voice in country music. Join Buzz Knight for a thoughtful, friendly conversation about ambition, partnership, adversity, and the value of staying true to your creative instincts. If you love legendary musicians, inspiring music stories, and the human experiences behind a remarkable career, take a walk with Clint Black on takin’ a walk—the Buzz Knight podcast where music history comes alive through the people who made it.