Behind the Hits: The Story of Jeff Stevens and Steve Bogard's Success with George Strait
Songwriters Jeff Stevens and Steve Bogard have a successful history of writing hits for George Strait. Their collaboration produced chart-topping songs like "Carried Away" in 1996 and "Carrying Your Love With Me" in 1997. The idea for the latter song came to Stevens six months before they actually wrote it, with Bogard contributing the metaphor of a "beat-up leather bag" to the lyrics. The song was completed in just a few hours, and after playing it for the label, it was put on hold for George Strait, who eventually recorded it. "Carrying Your Love With Me" was released on May 22, 1997, and quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming one of Strait's enduring hits.