Stewart signed his first recording contract in 1954, releasing his debut single, "I've Waited a Lifetime."

"[1] The song was a major hit, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart in 1956.

[4] Stewart encountered some professional setbacks and signed back with his former label, Capitol Records in 1965.

[1] In June 1967, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and spent two weeks there.

[1] Stewart's three follow-up singles all reached the top ten of the country chart: "'Cause I Have You," "Love's Gonna Happen to Me" and "Something Pretty."

[1] In October 1976, the single reached number eight on the Billboard country songs chart, becoming his first top ten hit in nearly a decade.