Clint Black: The Hard Way on Purpose is now open. The exhibit explores the Texan’s journey, from ironworker to country music star, as he charts his course as an artist with both blockbuster appeal and singular authenticity.
In Conversation with Clint Black: Killin’ Time: My Life and Music
Saturday, May 23 | 6:00 PM | Ford Theater
In his long-awaited memoir, Black shares the unfiltered, extraordinary account of his journey from a kid with a dream on the outskirts of Houston to a country music legend. From his near-death experiences as a young boy, to his decision to drop out of high school to pursue music, to countless years struggling as an unknown young artist, playing at any nightclub or hotel bar that would have him, Black’s path to success had more twists than the Texas two-step.
Exhibit Highlights
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Belt BuckleBlack wore this Crumrine Gold & Silversmiths belt buckle onstage and in photos during his rapid rise to fame in 1989.
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Cowboy HatWorn onstage by Black, this is one of the custom-made, black felt cowboy hats that are an inseparable part of his image.
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Desert Camouflage FatiguesBlack wore these desert camouflage fatigues during his 1993 USO tour of Somalia, where he performed for American troops in the war-torn East African nation.
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Gibson J-40 GuitarWhen Black was fifteen, his parents gave him a Gibson J-40 acoustic guitar. A few years later, his beloved Gibson was stolen. The model was discontinued in 1981, but Gibson custom-built this J-40 for Black in 1990, to replace the one he lost.
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Harmonicas and CaseAn accomplished harmonica player, Black used these Lee Oskar harmonicas, in various keys, in performance. The leather case was custom-made for him by a fan.
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TrophyOne of Black’s first jobs was selling newspaper subscriptions to the Houston Post. In 1978, he received this trophy when he took second place over 200 competitors in the daily paper’s annual Top Salesman contest.
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“Like the Rain” LyricsThis is a draft of handwritten lyrics by Black for his chart-topping 1996 single “Like the Rain.” Black co-wrote the song with his friend and longtime bandmate, guitarist Hayden Nicholas.
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DressLisa Hartman Black wore this Brides International dress, with floral embroidery and tulle skirt and shawl, in the music video for “When I Said I Do,” her duet with husband Clint Black.
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JacketBlack wore this Versace jacket in the music video for “When I Said I Do,” his duet with wife Lisa Hartman Black. The song topped Billboard’s country singles chart in 1999 and was named the Top Vocal Event of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
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Signed Script from “Larry Sanders Show”Comedian Gary Shandling, star of HBO’s Larry Sanders Show, invited his good friend Black to appear in the program’s final episode in 1998. The cast signed this copy of the script for Black, including rocker Tom Petty.
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“Untanglin’ My Mind” LyricsIn 1991, while on tour together, Merle Haggard played Black fragments of a new song. Black helped him finish it and wrote additional lyrics on the back of this page from his tour itinerary. “Untanglin’ My Mind” became a Top Five country hit for Black in 1994 and was recorded by Haggard two years later.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The exhibition Clint Black: The Hard Way on Purpose runs Wednesday, April 22, 2026 through August, 2027, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville.