While promoting his new album, "Earth," Young addressed the "More barn!" myth.

"I was smoking dope, and I became more introspective."

It was May 4, 1970. We were high school seniors in Greater Cleveland, when Kent State exploded on a Monday, a mere 45 miles away, 45 years ago. Four students killed, nine wounded by National Guard gunfire. It's as if it were yesterday.

With Hope Sings, I urge other people to write songs -- songs inspired by true stories of people who go from suffering to success.