By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
August 2, 2002
Though his publicist warned that Clint Black might call a few minutes earlier or later than our scheduled appointment, the country music star phones exactly on time. To the second.
Plus, the sooner he’s done, the sooner he can get back to his wife, Lisa Hartman-Black, and their baby daughter, Lily Pearl.
“I always considered myself to be very fortunate even when my career was uncertain and I was working in clubs,” says Black, 40. “I knew what I wanted to do. I had friends in college who were still trying to figure that out. But now, it’s almost frightening how lucky I am to have a wife like Lisa and a little baby who is an absolute angel. She looks just like Lisa. She’s a doll.”
Even when she’s crying through the night?
“She never wakes us in the middle of the night,” he proudly insists. “We’re the envy of many a parent. Even when she was teething, she’d wake up in the morning.”
Now almost 15 months old, Lily started walking five months ago. Though Black doesn’t like to brag about his child’s prowess, he points out the doctor said his daughter is at the “front end of the baby curve.”
Married to Hartman, 46, since 1991, Black says the couple never thought about having a baby earlier in their marriage.
“We were married almost 10 years by the time we had Lily,” he says. “Now we think, ‘How could we possibly have missed this?’ It’s like going to the amusement park and not going on any rides.”
HERE’S WHAT ELSE BLACK HAD TO SAY:
First Chicago stop for Lily: When Lily gets old enough, Lisa and I are going to come back to Chicago specifically to take her to the American Girl Store. The first thing that popped into my head when Lisa told me we were having a girl was a vision of me holding her hand and taking her shopping. One of my friends said, “You don’t take your daughter shopping. She takes YOU shopping.” Either way, I can’t wait.
Best thing about living in Nashville: It’s nice for families. Lily can grow up without a lot of big-city stresses and worries. There are plenty of celebrities in Nashville, but we’re treated just like neighbors.
The story behind the song “Little Pearl and Lily’s Lullaby”: Lisa and I both grew up in Houston and I used to always wish I had known her when she was a little girl. In the song, there’s a line that goes, “Waiting and wondering pink or blue/waiting for a little me or you.” Now with the baby, I feel like, in a way, I’m going to be able to able to see Lisa as a little girl.
If I had to pick just one of my records, I’d recommend: “When I Said I Do” for a single. And “The Greatest Hits II” for a CD ’cause there are some great guest artists on there, like Eric Idle, Waylon Jennings, Kevin Nealon on banjo, and my wife.
Tell us a secret: I like looking for things on the Internet. I used to research vintage cognacs online. It’s a great tool. My Web site [www.clintblack.com] is the best way for fans to keep track of me.
Favorite musicians: There are so many–Bruce Hornsby, James Taylor, Alison Krauss, George Strait …
I would love to collaborate with: James Taylor! I’m a big fan of his.
Acting: It’s fun but I’m in no rush to do another movie. If the part is right, I’m up for it. But I am working on a screenplay that I hope to have a role in.
Best thing about playing to Chicago audiences: Friendly and vocal.
The last word on Chicago: Great!
Clint Black
8 tonight
Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 & U.S. 30, Merrillville, Ind.
Tickets, $40
(773) 734-7266, (219) 769-6600 or (312) 559-1212
