In California
A song born from silicon valleys and steel cities, where technology meets tradition in the heart of Germany
by Greg Rank
The Unix Journey
It started with servers and systems, managing complex Unix environments as a system administrator. The digital world was my domain, but little did I know it would lead me across continents to one of the most iconic automotive cities in the world.
International Collaboration
Working alongside a talented colleague from Europe, we co-managed a tech team that would eventually bridge two worlds. Our partnership became the foundation for something much bigger—a software solution that would need to find its home in Germany.
Building the Team
Recognizing the scope of our mission, we hired a dedicated software development team. Their expertise would be crucial in crafting the solution that would eventually make its way to Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg.
The Wolfsburg Mission
With software in hand, the journey led to Wolfsburg, Germany—the beating heart of Volkswagen. Walking through those industrial corridors, installing our solution, I felt the weight of innovation meeting tradition.
Where Luxury Meets Innovation
From the Ritz Carlton's elegant suites to VW's bustling production floors, Wolfsburg revealed itself as a city of contrasts—where cutting-edge technology and timeless luxury coexist in perfect harmony.
The Song is Born
The musical inspiration struck at an American-style football game in Braunschweig, Germany, where the Lions took the field. As the crowd erupted in song, the entire stadium united in a techno version of John Denver's classic tune. In that electric moment—thousands of German voices transforming an American anthem into something uniquely their own—the seed for "In California" was planted. I knew I had to write a song for Germany, capturing that same spirit of cultural fusion and shared passion that filled the stadium that night. "And LA’s sister city is their own Berlin. It says so on the sign in Griffith Park, In California"