Mike O'Donnell

Mike O'Donnell (born Limerick Ireland 20 September 1939) and Junior Campbell (born Glasgow Scotland 31 May 1947) a.k.a. Bluebird Themes are the music composers for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends from 1984-2003 and Tugs.

They have been composing both Thomas and Tugs theme songs and writing and performing many Thomas songs like Thomas's Anthem, Really Useful Engine, It's Great to Be an Engine, Accidents Will Happen, Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining and Down by the Docks.

Even before Thomas and Tugs both of them have had vast careers in music.

Junior who was a guitarist, keyboard player and songwriter was part of the hit band called The Marmalade in the late 60s and early 70s and later a few years had a couple of solo records such as Hallelujah Freedom and Sweet Illusion of his own.

Mike who was a bass guitarist and vocalist meanwhile worked at The Beatles’ Apple Studios where his love for music grew stronger after some memorable sessions with some famous stars. He also joined an Irish band called Gold where though they didn't have any hits but instead sold a number of singles such as Stay with Me My Love and Paradise.

At the time both O'Donnell and Campbell had signed to the same publisher and there their partnership sparked. They have both collaborated on writing TV Jingles for TV, which they continued to do long after they both left their respective groups.

They also did their song Really Useful Engine on Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

Both of them retired after the last episode of Season 7.