By the age of 16, he was writing songs and playing guitar professionally with Tulsa country star Benny Ketchum.

Kemp signed as a staff writer with Tree International and hit the road, playing guitar with Conway Twitty's band.

His own solo recording career began the year after, with hits like "Won't You Come Home (And Talk To A Stranger)", "Bar Room Habits", and "I'll Leave This World Loving You."

For the next two decades, Kemp pursued his solo career while writing for others and earning a reputation as a master of the country & western heartbreak song.

Kemp achieved significant success writing songs for Johnny Cash (i.e., the #1 country hit "One Piece At A Time"), George Strait ("The Fireman"), Johnny Paycheck ("The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised"), Hank Williams Jr., Ronnie Milsap, Jack Greene, Faron Young, Mickey Gilley, Charley Pride, Tom Petty, and Willie Nelson.