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Clint Black Stands His Ground

The country singer believes he is a much Better Man now that he’s calling all the shots artistically.

Mike Mettler Arts & Entertainment

clint-black
Clint Black stepped away from the major labels to produce his latest album, On Purpose.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLINT BLACK

Clint Black isn’t much for being told what to do.

That explains why the multiplatinum country singer/songwriter decided to release his latest album, On Purpose, on his own terms.

“I had to take a stand and walk away from major-label offers to make it,” Black confirms. “Three different majors wanted to sign me, if only I would make ‘their’ record. I’ve never done that, and I won’t start now.”

Black brings a set filled with his most popular songs — including No. 1 country hits like Killin’ Time, A Better Man, Like the Rain, and When I Said I Do — to Morongo Casino Resort Spa Oct. 7.

Black spoke on his time spent in Southern California, his upcoming concert, and fond memories of one of his close personal friends, the late comedian Garry Shandling.

When did you first come out to Southern California, and what do you recall?
Clint Black: “In 1989, we played a bar in Palm Springs — Cactus something or another, I think. Great fans. Great weather, too, but preferably the fall! Hah! I also went to a dinner at Bob Hope’s house once. We still have family and friends in Los Angeles, so we get back there for that and for work, and head up to see friends in Central Valley as well.”

“I’m playing a lot more electric guitar now,” says Clint Black.

What can Morongo concertgoers expect?
CB: In the more intimate venues, I like to start the show by myself and do a few songs, and share some funny asides that go with them. Then I’m joined by a five-piece band, half of which I’ve been sharing the stage with since I put the band together for my RCA showcase in 1987. Two key members are the keyboardist, Dwain Rowe, and the newest addition, Jason Mowery, on fiddle, dobro, lap steel, and acoustic guitar.

I’m playing a lot more electric guitar now, and I also play more harmonica in this show. We do a couple of the new songs and a couple of tribute songs, but mainly, we are doing as many of the hits as we can get in.

Many modern listeners will likely discover Clint Black music via streaming services. As an artist, how do you feel about streaming? Are you a fan of vinyl at all?
CB: I haven’t gone to the trouble of setting up a vinyl player, but I’ve been meaning to. CDs are the next best thing. MP3s are convenient, but the music is greatly degraded. CDs are too, but comparatively much less so. Hopefully, one day we’ll be able to have it streamed to us at the bit rates we record at. If you could hear what we hear in the studio, you would love music even more.

What was the very first album you bought with your own money as a kid that still resonates with you today?
CB: Tough one. Probably Red Headed Stranger (1975), by Willie Nelson.

Which country artists would you recommend listeners check out to better understand where you’re coming from as an artist?
CB: Merle Haggard would be No. 1. Then Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Gene Watson, and Don Williams. The list is long, but that’s a good start. You can throw in some Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels, too.

I recently rewatched your touching performance of A Bad Goodbye on the final episode of The Larry Sanders Show from 1998, which seems even more poignant now given the recent passing of Garry Shandling [on March 24, 2016].
CB: Garry’s death was a shock and a real blow to all of us who knew him and his millions of fans. He was all about health and fitness. He and I met when he hosted the Grammys [in the early ’90s]. He invited me to do his show, and that led to a friendship that I will always treasure. He was a very thoughtful and considerate person.

Garry and I were talking on the phone when he told me he was ending Larry Sanders, and I instantly had the idea that he, not being able to get a woman to sing to him on the finale — a la Bette Midler and Johnny Carson [on the final Tonight Show with guests, on May 21, 1992] — would be stuck with me. He loved it, and six months later when he was planning the final show, he remembered it, and called to invite me on the show. Of course, I was honored and thrilled to be a part of that.

Singing that song for Garry was hilarious, but it was also a very emotional moment. None of us wanted to see that show end. We loved that character, and we loved Garry Shandling. It’s akin to losing Hendrix, or [Jim] Croce. Garry had so much more untapped talent to share with us. A terrible loss to fans and friends.

Clint Black, 9 p.m., Oct. 7 at Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 800-252-4499, www.morongocasinosresort.com