Clint Black's polished blend of traditional country and rock made him a huge star in the ‘80s and early ‘90s and helped to pave the way for the slew of pop-minded country artists that followed in his wake. Born in New Jersey and raised in Houston, Black teamed with Hayden Nicholas, who served as his chief songwriting collaborator and bandleader, in the mid-'80s. Their demos made it to ZZ Top manager Bill Ham, who brokered a contract with RCA; by the end of the decade, Black had earned the first of thirteen No. 1 singles, and his platinum record sales would last until the early ‘90s.