[3] For the next several years, Long toured as an opening act for other artists, including Eddie Rabbitt.

[4] Three years later, he was signed to a songwriting contract at the publishing division of Reba McEntire's Starstruck Entertainment Company.

[4] Long has had his songs recorded by George Strait, Garth Brooks, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, Hank Williams Jr, Reba McEntire, Casey James and Chris Stapleton.

[4] Additionally, Long sang harmony vocals on Gary Allan's 1999 album "Smoke Rings in the Dark".

Long performed at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2006.