Clint Black received the ACM Poet’s Award at the recent ACM Honors ceremony. The award, given to an artist who has shown exemplary lyrical and/or musical contributions to country music throughout their career, was presented to Black after Lady A performed “A Bad Goodbye” in his honor

“We’re doing ‘A Bad Goodbye,’ a song he wrote by himself and sang with Wynonna,” Lady A’s Dave Haywood said ahead of the ceremony. “Hillary’s playing Wynonna. It’s an incredible song. We’re so proud to honor him. ’90s country royalty. He really got us into a lot of country music growing up, so we’re really so proud to honor him.”

.@ladya is gracing the stage to honor ACM Poet's Award winner and Country Music icon @Clint_Black with a mesmerizing performance of "A Bad Goodbye." Wow, those harmonies… goosebumps! 🎤 #ACMhonors pic.twitter.com/pl99L3Wzqf

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) September 19, 2023

In his trademark fashion, Black began his speech with a bit of humor about receiving the industry accolade.

“I’d like to say that I’m very humbled to be given this award, but it wouldn’t be truthful. I’m gonna think much, much more of myself now, after this,” Black quipped from the stage.

All kidding aside, Black praised his family, including his wife, actress Lisa Hartman Black, and their daughter Lily, for being the muse for a lot of his songwriting over the last few decades.

“Some great inspiration for songwriting came along in 1991, in the form of my wife, Lisa,” Black said. “Ten years after Lisa and I were married, another little bundle of inspiration came along in our daughter, Lily, and the well just kept getting deeper and deeper and deeper with all that love in my life.”

Black, who found it important to write his own songs, is proud to be recognized for what the ACM Poet’s Award stands for and represents.

“The Poet’s Award speaks directly to the words, the lyrics,” Black reflected. “Lyrics are key in country music, we all know. They go hand in hand with the music of course. What makes the connection more lasting is the poetry. Imagine ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ with just the music, or ‘Lonesome Whippoorwhill.’ Imagine those great chords, great melodies, but it’s not the same connection without the stories.”

The 61-year-old closed his speech by hinting that fans might soon have more music from him, especially now that he has received the ACM Poet’s Award.

“After this award, I’ll have to ask myself, ‘What have I written lately?'” Black said. “And I pray you’ll all stay tuned to hear the answer.”

Find all of Black’s music, as well as upcoming tour dates, at ClintBlack.com.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for ACM Honors