Charley Pride’s most obvious singularity—that he is the only true country superstar who is also black—tends to obscure the fact that he has been one of the most successful country singers ever. He would be a country legend even without the racial anomaly. With a gritty, southern-accented baritone voice, Pride was able during his remarkably long-lived hit-making heyday (1966–1989) to drive even entirely forgettable songs into the Top Ten, if not the #1 position. Given a great song, he typically spent multiple weeks atop the charts.

If allowed only one word to describe Clint Black, "profound" would cover a lot of bases. The artist has had a profound effect on the music industry.

He is a profound, not to mention prolific, songwriter. To date, he has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs, a benchmark in any artist's career. An astounding one-third of the songs eligible for single release achieved hit song status at country radio. As a musician, he profoundly astounds -- he is an accomplished guitarist, and humbly describes himself as proficient on drums, harmonica, bass guitar and any assortment of percussion instruments.

Clint Black -- even his name evokes a deep sense of history and place in country music. The 1989 debut of his critically acclaimed and fan-endorsed Triple-platinum Killin' Time marked a subtle shift in the country music industry, and, thanks in part to Clint, a return to the more traditional sounds of the genre. CMT lists this album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Country Music. That album, from a then unknown Texas-based artist and writer, boasted five #1 hits (unprecedented in any music format), and won Clint a collection of awards.

Without a doubt, Clint Black has earned his place in country music. But he also has a clear eye set to its future. When pressed to accommodate, one word will do - but so many more are needed to adequately convey Clint's particular talents and extraordinary place in music.