Killin’ Time: My Life and Music

by Clint Black

Killin’ Time has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Clint Black is an American singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor. Black was raised in Katy, Texas. He is married to actress Lisa Hartman. They have one daughter born in 2002.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Michael]

A solid musician’s memoir. I know Clint Black’s music, but I didn't know anything about his background. It is not surprising that a gifted songwriter is also a great storyteller. This book keeps the reader entertained. Each chapter is the title of a Clint Black song with a few lines of lyrics. The early chapters about his childhood and his pre-Nashville music career as a struggling artist are the highlights of this well-written book. This book obviously will appeal to Clint Black fans but also music fans in general who enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the music industry.

[Glen Asbury]

I flew through this book by one of my favorite country singers. Clint writes like he talks…low-key, warm, funny and informative. Very easy read, and also fascinating story.

[Gina *loves sunshine*]

I never liked country music growing up - but when I went to college I was introduced to Clint Black's Killing time cassette tape (LOL) and for some reason I just loved it!!( Edited to add - It was the A time to kill tape) I used to pop it in my walkman and hit the stairmaster and that album was such a good listen, it's still a favorite!! I really didn't know too much about him through the years, except he did marry Lisa Hartman and I was such a Knots Landing fan growing up!! I really enjoyed this narration by Clint himself!

This memoir was a nice look into how he made it in the music industry. He was the ultimate as a singer and songwriter, and was glad to hear he was able to fight for his own music and put out most of his own stuff....even when opposed by his label. I find it so interesting to follow along as musicians have to navigate an industry that is run by what they think sells in the moment, or greasing hands in the back or whatever other sleazy practices they can do to make more money. So many talented artists selling their soul and identity to get in the business...even years after being established. This is one guy who took it all in stride, stood his ground - and in the end still seems to enjoy how it all turned out!

[Melissa Coffman]

Good book, mostly about his music career. He does speak some about his childhood and later about Lisa and Lily Pearl. It’s got some good stories sprinkled throughout the book. I didn’t realize how many number one hits he has. He does a good job reading the audiobook.

[Gracie Bucklin]

I love listening to memoirs because most of the time they’re read by the author— making the story even more personal. Clint is a good story teller and I loved learning about his upbringing and the meaning/process of making some of my favorite Clint Black songs. A wholesome listen/read from the start to finish, he’s been humble since the beginning. 5 stars!

[Jeff Graves]

This was an interesting dive into Clint Black's career. I listened to his music growing up and got to see him on Apprentice years back. Honestly, he seems to love the celebrity that came with his early success, but does not seem to care for his fans (he talks negatively about his interactions with them at shows if he ever mentions them at all in this book). He continuously entered into contracts with business managers, producers, etc. only for them to be labeled the bad guy and Clint, somehow, the good guy who was taken advantage of. He seems to think much higher of himself than records show (IE that he was somehow ushering in Neo-traditional country music while George Strait, Randy Travis and others had been running that movement for 10+ years before he showed up). Clint Black had a great, albiet, relatively short commercial/radio career, and I think this book makes it clear that he is difficult to work with. He seems self-important at times, but my favorite parts of the book is how he talks about being a father and husband (despite inviting the press to his wedding, which is, again, his love for the 'celebrity' that he earned). Would I pick it up again? No. Do I have a better view of Clint Black before I read this? No.

[Joe L]

A terrific book. Not only a terrific songwriter but the writing in this one is top notch.
Many memoirs are filled with self-promotion and braggadocious tendencies but not here.
Highly recommend even if you're not a fan of his music, but about the nature of the music business in the '80s and '90s.
It's a real page turner. No filler or fluff to fill pages.
Easy five stars.

[Al]

When you reach a certain age, the recording artists of your youth start taking stock of their careers and begin writing their memoirs. Recently I’ve enjoyed bios of Randy Travis, Ty Herndon, Kenny Chesney and now, Clint Black. (It’s not hard to notice that all four men rode the wave of record companies looking for men whose looks would work well with the burgeoning use of music videos to sell records to largely female record buyers.) Black, who grew up in the Houston suburbs in a working-class family, paid his dues in the clubs and bars in Houston trying for his big break. (He set his struggle to song in “This Nightlife.”) Black was the country breakout artist of 1989 with his first album “Killin’ Time” producing five number one hits, a record, aided by the promotion of his label RCA and the video to his first big single “A Better Man.” Black admits that the aggressive attention of female fans in those years could be “unnerving”. On the road relentlessly, Black found himself more worried about losing his voice than relationships. A chance meeting with Hollywood actress Lisa Hartman led to an eventual wedding as well as a prediction from his then manager that the marriage would be career suicide with his female fans. Though he didn’t finish high school, Black proved to be a smart song writer, fortified by his bandmate Hayden Nicholas. One of the surprises in the book is Black’s strong creative knack, not only in songwriting but in expanding to directing music videos and films. Black continued on a winning streak even when he left RCA in a common scenario where a record label is more interested in finding the Next Big Thing than nurturing their veteran artists. His last twenty years include some surprises: tutoring upcoming singers in a reality show, an attempt at stand-up comedy, and friendships with Hollywood stars like Tom Hanks and Garry Shandling. A bicycle crash with a tree resulted in years of spinal surgeries that came close to derailing his singing career. All in all, “Killin’ Time” is a satisfying bio of a successful, long career in country music. His initial success may have been partially due to his looks, but his long-term success was the result of his continually growing as an artist. Best line in the book comes from Buck Owens, “’Clint’s the kind of guy you can take home to meet your father, if you could trust your mother.” Recommended.

[Lerrise]

Killin' Time is a story written and narrated by a gentleman musician, Clint Black. I'm not familiar with Black's music, but do love celebrity autobiographies. This one stands out for taking the high road while telling the truth about the difficulties of being within, and surviving, the music business. The author never resorts or relies upon foul language, gossip, or needlessly trashing anyone's character to tell his story. I also suspect that because Clint Black is a gentleman and doesn't gossip, this accounts for the book being a relatively short and quick read (or listen). A must read for his fans.

[DeWayne Neel]

It was a joy to read about the life of Clint, a life lived with standards not usually found in the music business. As with most in the business, he paid his dues on the way to one of the best. He had standards for his music, writing his own, as well as the standards of those who worked with him. His commitment to family is to be commended. A very relaxing read, with much detail of the workings of the music industry.

[Kay]

Listened to the audiobook. Narrated by the author, which was very good. I was never a big fan of Clint’s music. I didn’t dislike it. It just was never one of my favorites. However, this book was very good. It was very short and sweet. You can tell he’s very devoted husband and father. You can also tell that he truly loves being a musician and artist. It was very interesting to hear a little bit about his childhood and some of the ups and downs in his musical career.

[Rachel Buchanan]

I saw Clint Black in concert back in August. Although, I loved his show, this book made me appreciate him as an artist even more. Listening to his life story with Clint himself narrating this book makes me realize he was born to play music. I admire CB for always staying true to himself despite what the music industry wanted for him. That’s why he was so successful. I found myself laughing at his stories several times. Loved this memoir! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tatrd]

Sometimes reading a memoir makes you like the person less. This one made me like him more. I hope one day my husband speaks about me the way he speaks about his wife. It is a testament to how much he loves her and how wonderful their relationship and the family that they have created together means to them both.

[Koren]

I think you have to be a fan of this country music singer to like this book. It is mostly about his career and not much personal information, but I think that's because he is just as wholesome as he seems. He's just the typical southern country boy. I listened to this on audio, so that was nice to hear his voice, but there just wasn't enough excitement in this book to keep me interested.

[Shelia Winn]

Enjoyable

If you're a Clint Black fan this book gives you just what you would expect. Down to earth honest account of his life. I enjoyed reading it and better understanding his rise to fame and struggles along the way. He was "A Better Man".

[Liz Sergent]

I really enjoyed this book about country superstar Clint Black. Very detailed about his childhood and how he became a songwriter and singer. Surprised to learn he didn't finish high school. Really good book, totally recommend.

[John Russell]

What a life!

We tend to assume that artists have an easy road to travel on their way to success, but Clint reveals not only how difficult life can
be, but how difficult the music industry is. An entertaining and engaging read from my favorite country artist.

[Tamela]

I liked hearing his story. Couldn’t believe how many close encounters he had with death. He’s genuinely down to earth and a hard worker, which made it a little dry at times but keeps him in the good guy column.

[Sandra Garrett]

Great story! Loved reading Clint’s story of his rise to stardom! I couldn’t put it down!

[Mary]

What a pleasant read! A celebrity who is hard working, has morals and ethics, and doesn't take himself too seriously - how refreshing.

[Tonya]

Excellent! Huge fan! His struggles with his singing career to family life. Highly recommend especially if you're a country music fan. Well written.

[Regina]

This book was great on audio!

[Carolyn]

His songs are great storytelling and turns out his life is, too.

[Amber Nichols]

3.5

[Neil White]

Quick and easy read. Gives some good insight in Clint Black's career and stuggles with the recording industry despite his phenomenal success in the late 80s and 90s.

[Tina]

Libby

[Melmo2610]

As someone who ha grown up listening to Clint’s music, this was an interesting read. I enjoyed getting to know his story behind the music.

[Ashley]

I enjoyed this, listened to it read by him.

[Nicole]

As a country music lover, I enjoyed this book a lot!

[Madison Saunders]

I love listening to memoirs narrated by the author while I edit or clean. I’ve always loved Clint Black growing up and this made me like him even more.