CREDIT: MARC LOSTRACCO
Country music foursome Lunch At Allen's will be performing at the Aeolian Hall on December 4.

After writing and recording for over 40 years, touring with Tranquility base, The Boomers and penning the Bob and Doug Mckenzie Strange Brew theme, Ian Thomas decided to join with long-time friend and Juno winner Murray Mc- Lauchlan and other Canadian country music stars Cindy Church and Marc Jordan. Playing their old favourites and other songs, the group had penned for the likes of Rod Stewart, Bette Midler and Santana, the quartet called the new group Lunch At Allen’s.

As part of an Ontario winter tour, Lunch At Allen’s will be performing at Aeolian Hall December 4. The choice to play the iconic 130- year old venue was made due to an “exceptionally rare occurrence – brilliant room, brilliant soundman and a great grand piano,” Thomas said. “When I last played there solo, the sound check went on forever, because the sound was so inspiring, we began jamming and got carried away. We look forward to a chance to sing in that room.”

The group named itself after the meetings at Allen’s Pub in Toronto, where the four originally began meeting for leisure but eventually started talking about playing their previous hits and new material with backup vocals and instrumental tracks.

Thomas says the quartet wanted more out of the musical experience.

“We had all done the star turn, fronting a band, chasing the brass ring,” he said. “The idea of camaraderie and singing with some of your best friends was at once disarmingly appealing and more about the music … there is such a sense of well being in singing together.”

“Basically we play for the joy of it. We are four good friends who love to sing together.”

But for the Canadian singer- songwriter who recently entered his 50th year of music making, it’s also an unstoppable force.

“At the root of it all, I think the motivation has remained the same, the creative processes are somewhat of a drug. My brother Dave (SCTV’s The Great White North Bob Mckenzie) thinks creativity is as much an affliction as it is a talent ... I am beginning to agree with that statement.”

Though Canadian radio stations remain an elusive market for bands like Lunch At Allen’s, Thomas says live performances such as the current winter tour become an inspiration for new material.

While even seasoned musicians could find recording and making music with three other singer/songwriters daunting, Thomas said this is what strengthened BAA.

“Individually our styles are different and yet they morph into what we bring to the party collectively,” he said. “There is such a sense of well being in singing together…in the doing of this we have become family to one another.”

Thomas talked about how the music BAA performed had a spiritual effect for him, saying, “As soon as we get together at a rehearsal or a sound check there is a waft of well being in the air.”

Tickets can be purchased for this event at Aeolian Hall, on 795 Dundas St.