WEST VANCOUVER singer/songwriter Andy Thoma sits at his piano,
where he composes many of his works. The local recently co-wrote a song
for a peace event with American country singer and former television

personality John Schneider.

‘i
aE

NEWS phato Nell Lucente

Spanish Restaurant

in
Edgemont village

“WE ARE NOW OPEN SUNDAY

VISIT WITH US SOON!”

—
@ For {| NITES

WED?’s ONLY 20:10:

(1 entree tree when another of eaual or greater}
walue® IS purchases )

Try our Paella (the most typical dish of Spain)

+ PLUS +
A BIG VARIETY OF
SEAFOOD & TAPAS (Spanish appetizers)
“Enjoy our live Spanish guitar
nightly”

988-3376

3108 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver, B.C.

feature
history

PAGE 20

CANADIAN, U.S. SINGERS

an performer
ith stars

joins
T¢

FROM THE world of television and radio to star-filled re-
cording studios, West Vancouver singer/songwriter Andy
Thoma’s career 1s coming up aces — again.

Stirting. in a professional career
with the Vaneouser bund The
Aces, the local has co-written a
song with former Duke of Hazzard
John Schneider for a joint Cana-
dian and American stab at pro-
moting world peace through
musical magic.

“This is a chance for us to stand
up and speak out and show our
desire to achieve world peace."" the
blond, blue-eved Thoma, 29, says
of the new song.

Slated to be simulcast on over
2,000 radio stations Oct, 23 for the
United Nations Enrernational
Peace on Earth for a Day event,
the song will feature the joint
musical talents of top Canadian
and American singing celebrities.

Working on the set of the British
Columbia-filmed Chrisrmas Comes
to Willow Creek as Schneider’s
double, Thoma was asked by the
performer to revamp his song The

Bs SERPHEN BARRING FON
News Reporter

Guitighier for use with the up-
coming Peace on Earth for a Day
event.

Thoma jumped at the chance,
and — with Vancouver rock musi-
cians Mike Reno, Brian MacLeod
and Dave Pickell — thus the new
The Gunfighter/Give Peace a Day
version was created,

When Vancouver's contribution
is finished. the multi-track tapes
will head south, where many
famous names are expected to be
added to the credits list.

Singers such as Waylon Jenn-
ings, Johnny Cash, Linda
Ronstadt and Dolly Parton are be-
ing approached to add their talents
to the seng co-written by Thoma.

“It’s a great honor to have our
neighbors down in the south ask us

r peace effort

to get involved.’ Thoma explains
of his being requested to assist
with the song.

“We Are The World (a star-
studded collaboration to raise
money for famine relief) was all-
American, Tears Are Not Enough
(a similar type of song with
Canada’s top Singers) was Cana-
dian -- but this project is a joint
venture.

“Both of us are doing the part
to raise awareness for a peaceful
world.’*

Thoma has performed ali: over
the world, including a recent Unit-
ed Nations tour with band
Chilliwack and Veronique Beliveau
to Cypress, Germany and Israel.

Presently awaiting the start of
his first solo album, this West
Vancouverite is putting all of his
energy into The Gunfighter/Give
Peace a Day project.

‘When he is putting together a
new song, he likes to tap the
diverse talents of other writers.
“It’s to enhance ideas,’’ the
singer/songwriter explains.

EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

Avalon Hotel

1025 Marine Dr.
985-4181