[4] After finishing his education, Stevens briefly pursued barbering before joining the U.S. Coast Guard as a Morse Code operator.
[3] However, an invitation from his musician uncle, Bob, led him to relocate to Nashville, Tennessee in 1970, a temporary visit that evolved into a permanent stay.
[3] He survived on minimal accommodations, worked as an airport parking lot attendant, and began collaborating with fellow budding songwriter, Eddie Rabbitt, in 1972.
[3] Early adopters of Stevens' work included artists such as George Jones, Stella Parton, and Billy Walker.
[3] Stevens' other successful collaborations resulted in hits like Conway Twitty's "Crazy in Love" (1990), Ricky Skaggs' "Lovin' Only Me" (1989), and The Oak Ridge Boys' "No Matter How High" (1989).