Clint Black has a new label home -- and plans to release a brand-new set of tunes.

The country music icon recently signed a record deal with Thirty Tigers and is working on his first record in nearly a decade.

“Thirty Tigers has an independent spirit,” Black says in a statement. “They believe in allowing artists the creative freedom to create music we can all be passionate about. What’s more, I value and appreciate that their focus lies squarely where it belongs -- on the music."

Black, whose debut albumKillin' Time, was released in 1989, most recently released a completely new project in March of 2008 (The Long Cool EP). His last completely new full-length project was 2005's Drinkin' Songs and Other Logic. In 2013, Black released When I Said I Do, a 14-track album of previous hits and a few new tracks, exclusively at Cracker Barrel.

"Thirty Tigers is a place that values not only great songwriters but great performers," adds David Macias, president of Thirty Tigers. "Clint is one of the format’s best at both. I could not be more excited about this new album -- it’s long overdue -- and for Thirty Tigers to get the chance to work with an artist of Clint’s caliber, whose music I’ve loved for so long, is truly an honor."

While the Grand Ole Opry member hasn't revealed a track list for the new album, chances are good that Black will have a hand in writing all of the songs on the record.

“Nashville has a very different way of approaching the making of records," he tells Radio.com. "I didn’t really fit into that way. I am a songwriter first. I start with the song. I make my records."

There is no word yet when the album will be released.

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