Music Tom Bähler

Hot Dog Jingle Arrangement & Lyrics Gary Down Jingle Producer Dave Grey Newsreel Music Peter Sullivan

'The Four Seasons' by Antonio Vivaldi played by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Courtesy Delos International

According to David Stratton in The Avocado Plantation, US distributor Avenue Pictures "insisted on replacing Chris Neal's subtle score with more obvious music by Tom Bähler."

For details of Chris Neal as a composer, see this site's listing of some of his films, in the pdf of music credits. For example, Neal, shortly before this time, did the scores for Bullseye - here - and The Place at the Coast - here.

His CV lists a score for Ground Zero, done for GZ Productions. However the version released for Australian video, DVD and television screenings did not include Neal's score

Bähler's US experience was inclined to composition for TV shows, which possibly explains why Stratton viewed his effort for the film as obvious and ordinary.

Bähler, at time of writing, had a wiki here and an eponymous site here. This site contained the short CV below:

Composer Tom Bähler:

Thomas Bähler is a man blessed with many talents, and he brings them all to bear in the work he is doing today as a Discovery Mentor. Primary among these gifts, is his ability to mentor frustrated people to discover what makes their heart sing and inspire them to bring it to fruition, so they can reach their highest potential and live a fulfilling life.

He actually started honing the skills that would empower him and serve him well both personally and professionally at the tender age of four years old, when his father would ask him “What do you want son?” any time Thomas asked a question. Thomas, being a very inquisitive child, soon understood that his father was coaching him to think about what he wanted to have happen or the outcome he desired, and then think about what he could do to make it happen. It was a very powerful lesson that has given Thomas the confidence to achieve his biggest dreams and one that he still uses daily in mentoring others to reach theirs.

Bestselling author, renowned speaker, music legend and storytelling savant, Thomas Bähler, brings thirty years of entertainment industry experience to his role as a Discovery Mentor. Thomas mentors those who know there is something more they want to create and do in their life but are stuck and frustrated along their journey, as he motivates them to think outside the box in his “What You Want Wants You” Academy.

Staring his music career as a teenager alongside his brother John, Thomas had the good fortune to spend his entire professional career collaborating with some of the most talented folks in the music, television and film industry including , , Elvis Presley, , Diana Ross, and .

A multi-faceted award winning talent, Thomas has collaborated and worked independently as a composer, producer, creative director, songwriter, singer and arranger on a number of film, television, album and theatrical projects with countless famous icons of the entertainment industry. Thomas was Michael Jackson’s principle vocal arranger throughout Jackson’s long career. Thomas remains a close associate of Quincy Jones and among his many notable achievements, was an associate producer and arranger of “.” He was the Creative Director for Radio City Music Hall, produced several Super Bowl halftime shows, and was a Musical Director and Composer for Siegfried and Roy’s Las Vegas shows.

While working alongside so many talented individuals (see his list of achievements below), Thomas observed that their success does leave clues. He discovered that nearly every major contributor to business, the arts and humanity has used the same simple 4-step process to make their dreams come true as his father had ingrained in him. He shares these steps through stories, anecdotes, and practical guidance in his “What You Want Wants You Academy,” where Thomas guides individuals to break through their own self-imposed glass ceiling to discover a fulfilled life. Wanting to have an impact on as many lives as possible, Thomas has brought forth all the creativity of his long and distinguished career in the entertainment industry, combined with his father’s wisdom, to his role as a Discovery Mentor and his What You Want Wants You Academy. And today, he mentors those who are looking for something more in their lives, those who are on the edge of birthing a new project or career. People from all walks of life look to Thomas to show them how to see things in a new perspective and change their life – for the better.

Thomas mentors and empowers frustrated individuals until they discover that degree of clarity, courage and certainty in their choices that allows them to confidently go after their dreams. His gift is to help people discover themselves, believe in themselves and reach their full potential. When you believe in yourself you can do anything.

His long and illustrious career that led to the distinct honor of serving as musical director for a number of events at The White House, including “America’s Millennium,” “Points of Light” and President Clinton’s Inaugural Concert.

Thomas is not only sought after in the music world, he is also in high demand as a speaker by major corporations who engage him to improve their company image. He is the author of the bestselling book, Anything Is Possible, the tale of the great philosopher and storyteller Aesop and What You Want Wants You. Here are some of the ways in which Thomas’s work has touched the lives of many others.

Thomas and his brother John first entered television as singers for The Smothers Brothers Show. Thomas’s high demand as a studio singer opened the industry’s eyes to his gift for arranging and composing. Not long after, he found himself as the vocal arranger for such hit television shows as and The Brady Bunch. Then, as an independent songwriter, Thomas penned the hit songs “Julie Do You Love Me” for , “Living in a House Divided” for Cher, and “She’s Out of my Life,” the fourth top-ten single from Michael Jackson’s “” album. In 1973, he began singing, arranging and writing for Quincy Jones’s gold albums including “Body Heat,” “Mellow Madness,” “Sounds n’ Stuff Like That,” “Q’s Juke Joint,” the soundtrack albums for “The Wiz” and “The Color Purple.” He did the vocal arrangements and sang for Phil Ramone and on Billy’s “Innocent Man” album, still his greatest seller. Thomas’s long-term working relationship with Quincy Jones soared in 1985, when Thomas was named associate producer and vocal arranger for We Are the World, as well as conductor for the finale of the historic Live Aid concert.

TELEVISION: In 1985, Thomas was given the task of creating the new music library and composing original songs for the top-rated daytime drama, General Hospital. He composed for the show for nine years and was honored for Outstanding Music Achievement by Soap Opera Magazine. He spent a season writing special material for The Mac Davis Show and later served as musical director for the network television special, Red Hot Rhythm and Blues, starring Diana Ross. In 1992, Thomas composed the score for the critically acclaimed CBS Movie of the Week, In the Eyes of a Stranger, starring Richard Dean Anderson and Justine Bateman, and produced by Cary Brokaw. In 1993, Thomas became musical director for the long-running Circus of the Stars.

For eleven seasons, Thomas composed and produced the original music, as well as served as music director, for CBS’s annual telecasts of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants produced by Sid Smith and Edd Griles. In 1998, Thomas co-wrote the theme for Quincy Jones’s VIBE television show.

RECORDINGS: In addition to the successful recordings listed above, Thomas has sung, arranged and composed countless songs for virtually all the major recording labels and leading artists since 1967. Some of these include: Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Cher, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Andre and Saundra Crouch, Sarah Vaughn, Michael Jackson, 98 Degrees, Willy Nelson, and legendary soprano, Renée Fleming.

MOTION PICTURES: Thomas’s extensive feature film experience includes having served as music supervisor, as well as executive producer, of the soundtrack album for the Academy Award- nominated “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Quincy Jones. He co-wrote and produced the music for Ray Stark’s production of “The Slugger’s Wife” and for DeLaurentis’s “Raw Deal,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. For Cary Brokaw’s Avenue Pictures, Thomas composed the music for “Ground Zero” and scored, as well as produced, the soundtrack album for “Cold Feet.” In 1991, he scored Michael Lindsay Hogg’s Avenue feature entitled “The Object of Beauty” starring John Malkovich and Andie McDowell. In 1996, Thomas’s “Cowboy Reggae” was licensed by Nora Ephron to introduce John Travolta’s character in his hit “Michael.” Warner Brothers also contracted with Thomas to use some of his compositions for the Chevy Chase film, “Vegas Vacation.” In 1997, Thomas wrote and produced an anthem entitled “The American Dream” for “Wag the Dog,” a film written by David Mamet, directed by Barry Levinson, and starring Robert DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman.

COMPOSING: Thomas studied composition with George Tremblay from 1976 until George’s death in 1982. In addition to having success in the popular music field (as above), Thomas also composes music for many theatrical and special events. In 1988, the renowned illusionists, Siegfried & Roy, enlisted Thomas as musical director and composer of original music for their record- setting World Tour, and in 1990 invited him back to compose and produce the music for their sell-out show, still running at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas

Additionally, Thomas scored and produced the music for the nation of Singapore’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. He also composed and produced the musical scores for the Dairinkai “Water Fantasium” and the “Fantastic Odyssey” exhibits, the leading attractions at the 1990 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan and the1993 World’s Fair in Taejon, Korea. Fantastic Odyssey is now a permanent attraction at Lotte World in Seoul, Korea. In December of 1995, again working with his good friend Daniel Flannery, Thomas created a new composition entitled “Prismatic Fantasy” that appeared as a ‘Second Gate’ for Geopolis at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

Thomas composed a tone poem entitled The Atlanta Skyline, commissioned by the Georgia Institute of Technology premiered at the College Band Director’s national convention held in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2002. .

At the request of Dr. Arthur C. Bartner and the USC Alumni Association, Thomas composed two new works for USC’s “Spirit of Troy,” “Trojan Victory” and “We Are SC.”

Thomas also composed the music for the Christmas spectacular ‘TWAS for the Next Stage Theater in Grand Prairie Texas.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Thomas’s special event expertise spans over twenty years. Under his friend and mentor Robert F. Jani, Thomas served as creative/musical director and composed, arranged and supervised the music for the three most popular shows in the history of the Radio City Music Hall: New York Summer, America, and Encore. His musical setting of “The Night Before Christmas” became an ongoing favorite in the Music Hall’s Christmas spectacular. Thomas’s special association with his Mentor, Robert F. Jani began at USC and continued for many years as he arranged, composed and produced countless projects for Mr. Jani at Disneyland.

In addition, Thomas served as the musical director and composer for all of the Anheuser-Busch corporate entertainment specials produced from 1978 until 1988, each featuring over forty major stars, produced by Imero Fiorentino Associates. During that period, his close relationship with Michael Roarty, Director of Marketing for Anheuser Busch, helped to form his business/entertainment philosophy that has served him so well.

In 1991, through his association with Jani International, Thomas was given the honor of producing and arranging music used as the themes for “The Points of Light Foundation.” In addition, Thomas conducted the ‘President’s Own’ Marine Band and choir at the White House for President Bush’s non-profit organization. In 1993, Thomas continued his working relationship with his mentor Quincy Jones and Jones’s partner David Salzman, when he acted as both music director and music supervisor for Jones’s momentous production of the Lincoln Memorial Concert, celebrating the first inauguration of President Clinton, broadcast on HBO.

In 1994, he served as Creative Director for “Rockin’ Country Sunday”, the 1994 Superbowl halftime show. He was supervising producer of the World Cup Qualifying Draw held in New York City in June of 1994, and produced Diana Ross’ Opening Ceremonies for World Cup ’94 in Chicago. Then Thomas once again teamed up with Quincy Jones and David Salzman, acting as music director for the historic “Concert of the America’s,” held in Miami at the behest of President Clinton to honor the 34 Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Western Hemisphere.

In 1995, Thomas acted as executive producer for Dr. Arthur Bartner’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Memorial Coliseum. The event, in addition to honoring the leader of “Spirit of Troy,” raised money for the University of Southern California’s Trojan Marching Band.

In 1997, Thomas served as creative director for the Superbowl XXXI halftime extravaganza “Blues Brothers Bash.” Working for Dennis Despie’s Select Productions, Thomas proudly brought The Blues Brothers, James Brown and ZZ Top back to the world stage.

In addition to being a product of his father’s invaluable training, Thomas is a product of the USC Thornton School of Music, where in March of 1997, The University of Southern California bestowed its prestigious Alumni Merit Award upon Thomas and in May of the same year, he received the Dean’s Special Commendation from the Thornton School of Music for his ongoing efforts concerning his Alma Mater.

Thomas once again served as music arranger and musical director for “America’s Millennium” our nation’s celebration produced by Quincy Jones and George Stevens Jr. In December of 1997, again at the request of Larry Livingston, Dean of Music, Thomas acted as executive producer for the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music’ “Dickens Dinner” honoring Quincy Jones’s fifty years of entertainment.

In 2000 through 2002, Thomas co-created and produced major entertainment segments of Sun Microsystems corporate shows, produced by Dave Richanbach and Associates.

In December, 2001, Thomas again teamed with George Stevens Jr. to coordinate, direct and conduct Quincy Jones’s segment of The Kennedy Center Honors as Quincy was awarded that coveted prize. Thomas also arranged and conducted the finale for the renowned soprano, Renée Fleming, at her request.

ADVERTISING: Thomas’s foray into advertising began early in his career when Walter Thompson hired Thomas and his brother, John, to create a musical group to represent Ford Motor Company in all their television, radio and print advertising from 1969 through 1970. Thomas was enlightened by working closely with Henry Ford II for those two years. Thomas and John then went on to sing over 600 television and radio commercials as well as compose and arrange them. In 1988, Thomas, in a collaborative effort with his brother John, arranged and produced the music for the Arrow Shirts campaign. They garnered two Clio Awards as well as the New York International Advertising Award, the London International Advertising Award and the honor of being listed as Ad Week’s All- Star Creative Team “Arrangers of the Year.”

DANCE ARRANGING: Thomas’s unique talent for writing dance and vocal arrangements enabled him to co-write and produce music for Sidney Poitier’s dance feature, “Fast Forward.” On numerous other projects, he has written dance arrangements for such renowned choreographers as Graziella Daniel, Geoffrey Holder, Tad Tadlock as well as Joe Layton, Lester Wilson and Scott Salmon.

In 1995, Bähler’s career took an understandable yet unique turn when the company Dare To Dream, owned by Jeff Jani, for which Thomas served as creative director since its inception, was acquired by the Microsoft Corporation. Thomas then formed a new company with Don Kobayashi. The result, Sequel Intertainment, provided creative services for Microsoft Corporation’s ActiMate character “Barney,” which made a smash debut at the Toy Fair in February, 1997, and hit the market with tremendous popularity. ActiMate sales totaled $100,000,000.

In addition to overseeing the creative content for the standalone version of Barney (who boasts a 16,000-word vocabulary), Thomas also composed 107 new songs for the four CD Rom titles that were released concurrently with the ActiMate character. Sequel Intertainment also performed all of the LPC voice editing for the ActiMate character Barney, as well as producing all audio areas of the entire project.

(Below: Thomas Bähler)