In the summer of 1982, my freshman year in college, I came home to Hartsville, South Carolina to relax, run, and play the guitar. I had just started playing guitar, and there was a burning desire in me to write a song. I had been moved by music always, but now I wanted to sing something that would move others. I only knew the basic chords and had not really practiced a lot but I wanted to say something with my guitar, something that really mattered. It was all consuming, and I was committed to writing a song. I remember it was a blistering hot day. I wanted to be alone, to have some time to think and play.