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| == Criticism == | == Criticism == | ||
| In 2010, '']'' published two letters in the "Opinions" section of the Online Edition |
In 2010, '']'' published two letters in the "Opinions" section of the Online Edition, written by Master Sergeants, questioned the value of Tops In Blue and claiming that soldiers are "voluntold" to attend and further doubts that the Tops In Blue is truly a self-contained unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/opinion/he-says-no-to-tops-in-blue-1.99561|title=He says no to Tops In Blue|author=Master Sgt. David Smoak|date=February 22, 2010|accessdate=February 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/opinion/time-to-retire-tops-in-blue-1.98899|title=Time to retire Tops In Blue|author=Master Sgt. Bob Pearson (retired)|date=February 3, 2010|accessdate=February 13, 2011}}</ref> | ||
| == Notable events == | == Notable events == | ||
Revision as of 12:45, 9 May 2012
| Tops In Blue | |
|---|---|
 Tops in Blue performing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | United States Air Force |
| Years active | 1953 (1953)–present |
| Past members | Jerry Van Dyke Terry Weeks Kahlil Ashanti Sinbad |
| Website | http://www.topsinblue.com/ |
Tops In Blue is a touring performance ensemble made up of active duty members of the United States Air Force formed in 1953. For the past 57 years, Tops In Blue has traveled to more than 20 countries to perform more than 120 times each year for airmen and families around the world. They entertain more than 250,000 military personnel and their families, presenting an average of 120 performances at 100 locations worldwide throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Alaska, and the Pacific.
Ensemble
The ensemble is composed of 35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians and is considered the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit. Performers are expected to be in top physical condition because they are their own roadies. Performers unload 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) of equipment which uses a stage and truss which are built to fit on six pallets or one truck trailer. They spend four hours settings up the stage prior to a show. Their primary purpose is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. They have appeared on national television with Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Boyz II Men, Lee Greenwood, and Lea Michele.
Tops In Blue is produced by the Entertainment Branch of the Programs Directorate, Headquarters Air Force Services Agency. The program is funded in part by appropriated funds and supplemented with nonappropriated funds that are generated by Air Force people as well as sponsorship by Coca-Cola. They have produced five movies and two albums.
The unit is self contained with its members consisting of four flights: personnel, logistics, operations, and technical.
Audition
Candidates for Tops In Blue submit a video performance to Headquarters Air Force Services Agency. If selected for audition, they are flown from all over the world to Lackland AFB for a ten day talent show and multilevel competition judged by former Tops In Blue members. The performers are picked in six categories: male vocalist, female vocalist, instrumentalist, musical variety, dance, and non-musical variety including comedians, magicians, and dramatists. Each year is a new group and past members are not guaranteed to return. Those selected attend a 45 day training period at Lackland AFB.
History
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2011) |
Air Force Major Al Reilly created the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest in 1953, and Tops In Blue began as a tour showcasing the best members of the contest performing at 230 locations in 235 days. Initially, the contest was judged in 14 categories ranging from comedy, drama, pop, jazz, hillbilly, vocal and instrumental. It was judged by celebrities like Barry White, Les Brown, Richard Roundtree, and Esther Williams. In 1954, Ed Sullivan invited Tops in blue to perform at Mitchel Air Field, NY on his show "Toast of the Town" where Airman Second Class Jerry Van Dyke led the show as Master of Ceremonies. In 1964, the Tops In Blue left the stage to record in a movie studio to produce films and records for distribution throughout the Air Force. However, in 1971 Tops in Blue gained Air Force support to return to the stage on their live tour debut in 1972.
Criticism
In 2010, Stars and Stripes published two letters in the "Opinions" section of the Online Edition, written by Master Sergeants, questioned the value of Tops In Blue and claiming that soldiers are "voluntold" to attend and further doubts that the Tops In Blue is truly a self-contained unit.
Notable events
In 1981 they performed the halftime show at the Garden State Bowl. In 1985, an expanded production of Tops In Blue performed with help from over 1,400 volunteers from Mather AFB at the halftime show of Super Bowl XIX. In 2002, they performed at the Daytona 500. They performed the National Anthem in 2005 for Game 6 of the NBA Finals and in 2009 at the Coca-Cola 600. They presented a map-shaped American flag during performances of the National Anthem by Josh Groban at Game 1 of the 2002 World Series and Carrie Underwood at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, At the pregame show at Super Bowl XLV, Tops in Blue performed "America the Beautiful" alongside actress Lea Michele.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Air Force.
- ^ "Springer Journal: "Tops in Blue"... A Super Bowl Event". January 27, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton (October 6, 2010). "Coming together in true Scandinavian style". Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- Kahlil Ashanti at IMDb
- ^ "Air Force performance group, 'Tops in Blue,' staging free show in Monterey Feb. 8". January 27, 2011.
- Erin Tindell (January 31, 2011). "Tops In Blue to perform at Super Bowl XLV". Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Tops In Blue". October 17, 2005.
- ^ "Air Force's Tops In Blue to perform at Super Bowl pre-game". January 31, 2011.
- "Tops in Blue to Perform at Super Bowl". February 1, 2011.
- ^ "About us". Tops In Blue.
- ^ A1C Jette Warnick. "Tops in Blue: It's not just singing, dancing we do".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - "Tops In Blue". January 28, 2011.
- "Tops In Blue - March 4th".
- Johnson, Gabe (June 6), ] Tops in Blue member makes Tucson show a memorable homecoming], vol. 2, Desert Lightning News, pp. 1, 10, 11, retrieved February 13, 2011
{{citation}}: Check|url=value (help); Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "Worldwide Talent Contest".
- SrA Catharine Schmidt (March 26, 2004). "Air Force Tops in Blue Selections". Air Force News Service.
- ^ "More than 50 years of world class entertainment". Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- Lorin T. Smith (January 27, 2011). "Tops in Blue An entertainment showcase". Northwest Guardian. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- Master Sgt. David Smoak (February 22, 2010). "He says no to Tops In Blue". Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- Master Sgt. Bob Pearson (retired) (February 3, 2010). "Time to retire Tops In Blue". Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- "Air Force's Tops in Blue to give free performance for community". October 19, 2010.
- "Lap-by-Lap: Charlotte". NASCAR. May 26, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- "Tops in Blue to perform at Super Bowl". January 31, 2011.
External links
- Tops In Blue
- USAF Fact Sheet
- Tops in Blue Priors
- Tops In Blue official blog
- Tops In Blue on Facebook
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