From the recording Almaden Valley Days
From 1981–1983, I was in a high school band with several other Leland High School alumni. We played countless parties and local concerts throughout the hills of Almaden Valley, California using generators lights and a portable stage, and for a few years, we were a pretty big deal around Almaden.
I originally wrote this song in 1981, and we played it at just about every gig during that time—only back then, it had no lyrics. We may not have been known outside of Almaden Valley, but within our little corner of the world, we had our moment of fame, and that was more than enough.
Fast-forward to early 2026: I brought the song back to life using AI and wrote lyrics for it that reflect the people, places, memories, and experiences of those years. It has been an amazing experience reconnecting with that part of my past and turning those memories into a finished song.
Now, Dave Kingsley and I are wrapping up the non-AI version of the song in Santa Cruz, California. I’m excited—and very happy—to say that it will be released in just a few weeks.
A song that started with a high school band in Almaden Valley in 1981 is finally getting its lyrics and its second life more than four decades later.
Lyrics
Well, all right!
Almaden Valley days
Playing in high school rock bands, up in the hills
Or playing ultimate frisbee at Greystone Park
And traveling up to Santa Cruz
Lots of friends with Dave Kingsley, Ernie Paris, Derrick West and the rest
And don't forget about Tom Henry, Who we met at Leland High School
What can we say, But to say, Say Hey
We all had our time of love, Friends and lots of jammin'
With the greatest bands, That the world never heard
That's okay, cause we had fame, Through all of Almaden
Everybody came out to see us, And we all got to hang out and live life
Like things would never end
Whether it was keeping faith in Jesus
Playing lots of frisbee Or jammin' in our bands, We had it all, Yes we did!
Almaden Valley days
Playing in high school rock bands, up in the hills
Or playing ultimate frisbee at Greystone Park
And traveling up to Santa Cruz
Lots of friends with Dave Kingsley, Ernie Paris, Derrick West and the rest
And don't forget about Tom Henry, Who we met at Leland High School
What can we say, But to say, Say Hey
We all had our time of love, Friends and lots of jammin'
With the greatest bands, That the world never heard
That's okay, cause we had fame, Through all of Almaden
Everybody came out to see us, And we all got to hang out and live life
Like things would never end
Almaden Valley Days
Almaden Valley Days
Almaden Valley Days
Almaden Valley Days