After several decades of disappearance, more than thirty years; Thirty-six to be exact, there’s been a resurgence in old-school music that moves you. Back in the late spring of May, the latter part of that month in the year 1983, there was a group from Dayton, Ohio called “New Horizons” who hit the Billboard 40 R&B charts with a single titled “Your Thing”. Is Your Thing” produced by Roger Troutman from the album “Something New” Well, that was the end followed by another single titled “Searching For That Lady” taken from the group’s second album “Gonna Have Big Fun” in 1984; you really can’t tell a one-hit wonder as much as you can say a one-hit wonder.
What happened to the Thomas brothers known professionally as New Horizons? Well, the band broke up at the end of 1986 and they parted ways to pursue other professional interests. Lead singer Mark Thomas had the pleasure of touring the country and world with Zapp and the late Roger Troutman playing drums and singing backing vocals in the late ’80s, and his younger brother Bart did the same and continues to tour with Zapp. to this day.
Mark also produced two solo projects which were mere failures pka The Marc Anthonee Project in the summer of 1996 and in June 2018 released a CD titled MA’s “Getta Know Ya” Neither of these projects charted in absolute. Well, you can ask about the other members of New Horizons; guitarist and lead singer Tim Abrams pursued other career choices and played with other bands, while group founder Art Thomas Jr. stepped out of the spotlight entirely and is now an ordained minister who shares the love of Jesus Christ.
Which brings us to little brother Varges, Varges is the youngest of his siblings and plays keyboards, bass, talk-box, Melotica, percussion, lead vocals, and backing vocals. He is also a Producer, Arranger, Composer and Entertainer. He has his first single “Give It To Ya” taken from his upcoming first CD titled Destiny; which is heard on the music apps IheartRadio, Spotify, Pandora and Jango.com, to name a few across the country and around the world. The CD is comprised of old school, R&B, smooth jazz, Southern Soul, Steppin, funk and uplifting music that shows the many facets of him. The sound appeals to young and middle-aged listeners who enjoy a nice beat with a touch of soulful rhythm.
You ask me how I know so much about the history of New Horizons and Varges Thomas; Well, that’s because I’m the unknown third brother of Thomas, the author of this article.
