We Are Family - The TOPS IN BLUE Priors Newsletter

The TOPS IN BLUE Priors Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 2, August 2000

TIB 2000 IS THE REAL DEAL

You Can "Believe" This Show is a Bonafide Hit!

The show is entitled "If You Believe" and it begins with an invitation to visit the land of make believe. But, Tops In Blue 2000 is anything but a fantasy. With sensational music, a "magic castle" set that you'll have to see to believe and a dazzling array of vibrant costumes, this show is definitely the real deal.

This year's tour began with a premiere show at Scott AFB, Illinois on June 7th and the cast has garnered rave reviews ever since. From the heartfelt "I Believe" opening solo, to the highly choreographed "March of the Toy Soldiers," to the red-hot Salsa set, the show is a veritable cornucopia of music, mirth and majesty. It's variety with a capital "V" -- there's a smokin' instrumental number that shows off one of TIB's best ever horn sections; there are icons from the world of animation with surprise visits by the Beauty and the Beast, the Genie from Aladdin, Toy Story's Woody, and a short trek to the land of Oz.

Then there's a slick country set, where the guys and gals "Let 'Er Rip" with some of today's hottest C&W hits. And there's some great Barbershop harmonies, a Carnival, and a special appearance by "Louie Armstrong" and so much more. The show culminates with a tribute to our country, a land where we have the freedom to dream; and a reminder that "If You Believe" you have power to make your dreams come true.

The talented cast is currently on its first stateside swing and prepares to head to Europe and the Middle East in September. They return in November for another stateside run and then tour the Pacific, with the traditional Christmas show in Korea.

Catch the show wherever you can, because without question for those who are dreaming of a great evening of spectacular entertainment, Tops In Blue 2000 is indeed a dream come true. Believe it!

CHECK OUT THE AF's NEW TOPS IN BLUE WEB SITE

The United States Air Force Services Agency and AF Entertainment have created the official Tops In Blue web site. The Air Force site is located at http//www-p.afsv.af.mil/TIB/flash.htm, (if you can't get in, click on "Skip Flash Animation" at the bottom) and it features a variety of information, including Tops In Blue history, current tour and cast information, show photos, promotional materials and information on competing in the talent program.

Keep in mind that we as priors still have our own TIB Prior's web site, thanks to Bob Morrow.  And let us not forget that Bob's was the first TIB web site and we owe him a great deal of gratitude. He has provided us with a bulletin board, contact information, and a lot more. And it's been the prior's web site (along with this newsletter) that has largely been responsible for bringing so many of our family members back into the fold.

So, now we have two TIB web sites to enjoy. Visit the official Air Force TIB site and let's be sure to continue to support Bob's efforts and our Priors web site as well.

(Thanks T.A.!  Though there may now be an official TIB site, this one isn't going to disappear.)

REMEMBERING 50's PRIOR PHIL SCHWARZ

Earlier this year, we lost a family member from the 50's era. Philip L. Schwarz passed away in March in Arlington, Heights, Illinois. Born in Chadron, Nebraska, he started singing in high school. His musical career took off after he joined the Air Force and earned a slot on Tops In Blue in 1958.

Even after leaving the Air Force, he never stopped singing, performing with a number of barbershop quartets, including the Midnight Oilers, who traveled to Vietnam to entertain the troops.  Prior to his passing he was singing bass and playing bass viola with a group called "Rendezvous."

Phil left a legacy of entertaining others and summed up his philosophy with a simple quote "too many song too little time." One of his fellow cast members from the '58 tour, Jac Hayden, says, "We would be greatly blessed if there were more men like him." Indeed, somewhere above us, Phil is still singing.

WWTC 2001 TO BE HELD AT LACKLAND IN FEBRUARY

Tops In Blue 2000 to Perform at Pre-Super Bowl Event in January

Air Force Entertainment has announced that the 2001 Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest will be held in February at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Lackland, which is the "home" of Tops In Blue and location of the TIB Production Center last hosted the event in 1988, which was contest's 25th Anniversary. Following the contest, the announcement of the cast of TIB 2001 will be made on March 1st and staging will commence on April 1st.

The contest dates have been adjusted to allow for a unique engagement for Tops In Blue 2000. The cast will be presenting a special show in conjunction with the 2000 Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. They will be performing at the opening ceremonies for a special pre-Super Bowl Golf Championship, which will be attended by over 120 NFL players at MacDill Air Force Base.

Go to the top of the next column.

 

TIB ITINERARY

Go to the official TIB site to see this year's show dates.

SPOTLIGHT: Where Are They Now?

Name

Specialty

Tour

Loretta Benge

Vocalist

Tops In Blue 1978

Present: Petite Loretta was part of TIB's "Star Wars" show in '78. Today, she and her husband of 24 years reside in Weimar, California. The couple has a son 19 and twin 13-year old boys. They live on a 6-acre mini-ranch in a lovely log house, surrounded with animals. Loretta is now a sixth grade teacher. And in her spare time she loves to ride horses.

 

Name

Specialty

Tour

Bruce Campbell

Vocalist

Tops In Blue 1979

Present: Having retired from the AF in 1992, Bruce is currently employed with 60th Services Squadron at the Travis AFB Library. He and his lovely wife Teresita have a five year old son name Gerald. Bruce has been in the Travis/ Fairfield area for almost four years now, prior to that resided in the Philippines after retiring from the military. Bruce says "TIB is still the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I thank TIB for selecting me and making me a part of such a prestigious program have relished for 21 years."

 

Name

Specialty

Tour

John (Greg) Doyle

Trumpet

Tops In Blue 1955

Present: John was one of the early TIB pioneers, touring with the '55 show. These days he is an Ordained Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church and Executive Director of Matt Talbot Ministries, a 12-step counseling organization. He and his wife Margie have been married for 49 years! They have five children and 12 grandchildren. The Doyles make their home in Ontario, New York.

 

Name

Specialty

Tour

Mike Mertins

Vocalist

Tops In Blue 1976

Present: Mike performed at Worldwide in 1976 and toured with TIB's Bicentennial Show that same year.. When last we heard from him in February of this year he was working as a Promotions Production Coordinator for Snap-on Tools. He's married and has four children - three boys and girl. He said he often recalled all of the fun and hard times of the tour and that the friendships were worth every minute.

BLUE NOTES

Sorry for the delay in getting this issue of the newsletter out. A few major computer problems put me out of commission for a while. But we're back! I appreciate your indulgence. Let's all keep prior Mike Keating (TIB '82) in our thoughts. He is dealing with a very serious illness and could use our prayers. Until recently, he had been performing regularly in Atlantic City. Still he's a trouper, despite his illness, he has managed to release a great CD entitled "This Is My Moment."...

Priors Ken and Sebrina Morris are preparing to celebrate the one-year birthday of their beautiful daughter, Briana Genét Morris who was born September 21, 1999 weighing 6 pounds and 15 ounces and measuring 20 inches. She is the Morris' first child. In June, yours truly had to opportunity to perform with prior Joey Lemma (TIB '90), a.k.a  "Joey Mime" in Scottsdale, AZ. Joey, who lives in Northern California these days, is funnier than ever!

Kudos to TIB 2000. Surrounded by lighting, 50 mph winds, and a harrowing monsoon storm that threatened to cancel their outdoor show at Luke AFB, Arizona, they refused to yield. They worked their tails off scrounging up material to ensure that the equipment and set were covered and then they waited out the storm.... which never materialized. When the threat had passed, they went on to delight the audience with a sensational performance in true Tops In Blue fashion. They were living proof that "no matter what, the show must go on!"

Tom Edwards is creating a prior's tribute wall at the TIB Production Center. If you've recorded a CD or have other entertainment media, send him a copy. Also let him know if you have any other professional entertainment accomplishments; include photos or programs, etc. if you can. In addition, if you have any musical suggestions for TIB, please contact the office at 210-652-6566 (DSN 487-6566)

That's all for this issue. Next one will be in December. Let me know if you've got input...

Ciao!....T.A.Burrows