Jon Pardi And Clint Black Unite For New Version Of ‘Killin’ Time’ In Honor Of The Song’s 35th Anniversary
Black admitted that getting to perform this song live with Pardi was one of the “highlights” of his year.

Clint Black, Jon Pardi; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
It has been 35 years since Clint Black released his 1989 debut album, Killin’ Time, and to celebrate this major career milestone, he tapped Jon Pardi to be featured on a collaborative version of the project’s title track.
This song was penned by Black with Hayden Nicholas and eventually earned the country icon a No. 1 single and a GRAMMY nomination for Country Male Performance at the 1990 ceremony.
Now, in 2024, Pardi has taken the tune’s timeless nature and put his own modern spin on the narrative that stemmed from the idea of how slowly things were moving for Black at the time, to the point where it felt like it was taking an “eternity” to reach his goals. Coincidentally, things seemed to pick up for the iconic artist when this song hit the airwaves.
Pardi joined in on the chorus before taking turns with Black on the remaining verses, thus bringing true passion to the storyline and amplifying the high-energy track with their twangy vocals. This execution offers the perfect soundtrack for anyone out on a Friday night looking to relieve any stress that life may be causing them.
“This killin’ time is killin’ me/ Drinking myself blind thinkin’ I won’t see/ That if I cross that line and they bury me/ Well, I just might find I’ll be killin’ time for eternity,” they sing on the chorus.
The new rendition of the No. 1 classic was recorded at Black’s Nashville studio and unveiled on June 26 by his imprint, Blacktop Records.

Surprise CMA Performance
Just weeks before the official release, Black appeared as a surprise guest during Pardi’s CMA Fest performance at Nissan Stadium on June 7th. While donning their signature looks topped off with a cowboy hat, the artists previewed what was to come with an unforgettable live performance of “Killin’ Time” which was featured in ABC’s broadcast of CMA Fest: The Music Event of the Summer.
“This year marks 35 years since my album ‘Killin’ Time’ debuted, and I am having the pleasure of seeing fans night after night on our 35 Years of Killin’ Time tour singing right along with us,” Black shared. “There is nothing more fulfilling for a songwriter than knowing your music has had an impact. And now, to have my new pal Jon Pardi invite me up to celebrate this song with him in front of the CMA Fest crowd is one of the highlights of the year for me.”
Clint Black continues the celebration on his current trek, the Killin’ Time 35th Anniversary Tour. He and his band recently wrapped up the Canadian leg and are now gearing up for a show in Interlochen, MI on July 30. This run of shows will continue bringing Black’s timeless catalog of country songs to fans in venues across the U.S. through November 15, when he wraps up with a show in Wichita, KS.
As for Jon Pardi, he is fresh off welcoming the newest addition to his family, his little girl Sienna Grace, and is already back on the road playing shows at fairs and festivals. In September, he will kick off his Mr. Saturday Night Tour 2024.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.