Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Anasazi Lover is a song Leland wrote back in the early 1990's. I liked this song very much and told him we need to record that one too. he was doing many covers and was a musician who performed out and about quite often.
We met at Bally's hotel about 1992 or sooner and when he entered the talent contest there I go to see him strum his guitar and sing and I thought what a big sound coming from the little guy and his guitar. Years pass and my band THE WORLD break up and we reform with a few members to make DEJA VU and I insisted that Leland be in the band to create a three-part harmony that would knock your socks off. He, Danny Matthews, and John Kaye harmonized well and each had a strong voice. I played electric guitar and sang a bit too.
Leland passed away in October of 2024. His former wife Mary Acquaviva called and told me the sad news. I was in shock.
This song Anasazi Lover was a song I could never get out of my head and I always felt it was one of his best. Well, after he passed this song was all I could hear in my head. I figured it was Leland wanting to collaborate one more time with me, so I got on it right away.
There's so much more I could write here. He visited me just this Spring of 2024 and he stayed few days during his long month-long train trip which he couldn't stop talking about and how he enjoyed traveling all over the country. He lived it up and touched bases with all the people he knew.
To Mary and the boys, I am so sad for your loss. His sons are musicians too and I urge them to play this song in their bands and make it into whatever they envision. It very well could be a hit. I know it would be.
Love ya, Leland, and thank you for your amazing sense of humor and the joy you spread to others with it and your musicianship. Farewell.
Photography by Ray Tutaj Jr except for the indoor recording studio shots which were done by Mary K. Acquaviva.
I also asked Leland if he would like to do a photoshoot against my western backdrop I had up back in 2016 or so. Can't remember but anyway he said yes, and we got some good ones.
Anasazi Lover is a song Leland wrote back in the early 1990's. I liked this song very much and told him we need to record that one too. he was doing many covers and was a musician who performed out and about quite often.
We met at Bally's hotel about 1992 or sooner and when he entered the talent contest there I go to see him strum his guitar and sing and I thought what a big sound coming from the little guy and his guitar. Years pass and my band THE WORLD break up and we reform with a few members to make DEJA VU and I insisted that Leland be in the band to create a three-part harmony that would knock your socks off. He, Danny Matthews, and John Kaye harmonized well and each had a strong voice. I played electric guitar and sang a bit too.
Leland passed away in October of 2024. His former wife Mary Acquaviva called and told me the sad news. I was in shock.
This song Anasazi Lover was a song I could never get out of my head and I always felt it was one of his best. Well, after he passed this song was all I could hear in my head. I figured it was Leland wanting to collaborate one more time with me, so I got on it right away.
There's so much more I could write here. He visited me just this Spring of 2024 and he stayed few days during his long month-long train trip which he couldn't stop talking about and how he enjoyed traveling all over the country. He lived it up and touched bases with all the people he knew.
To Mary and the boys, I am so sad for your loss. His sons are musicians too and I urge them to play this song in their bands and make it into whatever they envision. It very well could be a hit. I know it would be.
Love ya, Leland, and thank you for your amazing sense of humor and the joy you spread to others with it and your musicianship. Farewell.
Photography by Ray Tutaj Jr except for the indoor recording studio shots which were done by Mary K. Acquaviva.
I also asked Leland if he would like to do a photoshoot against my western backdrop I had up back in 2016 or so. Can't remember but anyway he said yes, and we got some good ones.
