A Note From the Editor...

This is the first edition of the Tops In Blue Newsletter. In the words of the hit song by Sister Sledge -- "We Are Family" -- because we share so much. As Tops In Blue we share a belief that this program was, is and will always be important. We share pride in having contributed our individual talents to its mission. We also share in the hard work, long hours and the sacrifices we endured. And, we share the memories of the faces at places like Clear AS, Alaska, Balikesir AS, Turkey, Kunsan AB, Korea, Sondrestrom AB, Greenland, and Makah AS, Washington, reminding us that it was worth it. Finally, we share a very special feeling, not in terms of being the best singer or dancer, but more importantly, that together we were able to give something to our fellow airmen. A feeling born from the knowledge that somewhere in time, we touched the lives of others and through our music and laughter, we relieved their stress, we took them home again, we gave them spirit, we gave them heart. And, we gave them a reason to be proud to be a part of the greatest fighting force on earth -- the United States Air Force. That feeling will last a lifetime and it is the "singularly distinctive accomplishment" that made us Tops In Blue, then, now and forever. And as Tops In Blue, we are and will always be "family"..... Happy reading! T.A.

AF Talent Program Undergoes Major Changes

On a November evening in Panama City, Florida, we said farewell to the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest, the 40 year old prestigious event whose centerpiece was the selection of the cast for Tops In Blue. As part of the Air Force's "right-sizing" agenda, which entailed a complete overhaul of the force's manpower and program requirements, it was no longer possible to continue with Worldwide as we knew it. While the importance of the overall Air Force Talent Contest Program was recognized, budget restrictions and a mandate for reduced manning dictated that changes must be made. Above all, the primary goal was to ensure that Tops In Blue survived intact. As a result, the Talent Program takes on a new look this year. The Worldwide and command level contests have been replaced by new Regional Talent Competitions. Qualifications for the Regionals will begin at base level. Bases will continue to hold local talent contests, which may include family members and other authorized MWR/Services users, although only military members may be considered for advancement. Bases will then provide contestant resumes, score sheets and videotapes of their contest to Air Force Entertainment (AFE) for evaluation. The videos, resumes and score sheets will be reviewed, and AFE will select contestants who will advance to the Regional Competitions. AFE will direct each of the Regionals and will select the winning acts. In the new format, there will be no categories. Each act will be judged on it's "ability to entertain" along with other criteria. Additionally, during the Regionals, AFE will conduct auditions, evaluations and interviews for Tops In Blue. At the conclusion of the five Regionals, AFE will evaluate all winning acts and from them select the cast for Tops In Blue. In effect, the cast of Tops In Blue will be the "overall winners" -- or, as tradition has it -- "the best talent in the Air Force". The tentative schedule for the new Regional Competitions is as follows (specific dates to be announced):

While the program is virtually in place, one very important task remains -- getting people involved! The first two years of this new format are critical. According to Tom Edwards, if the program is successful enough, there is still a chance that we may be able to bring back the Worldwide contest. But on the other hand, if the new program doesn't attract quality people or if the participation is low, it may spell the end of Tops In Blue itself. For those of us who have been a part of this program, now is the time to step forward! If you're at a base or near a base, help generate interest in the contest, encourage others to participate, volunteer what time you can to help put a contest together. In the "new Air Force" the Talent Program, although changed, still remains a vital part of the MWR/ Services mission. Most importantly, it continues to be the primary resource for the cast of Tops In Blue, maintaining the tradition of "Family Entertaining Family".

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Tops In Blue '94 - Set For June Premiere

The tradition continues... Harmonies being worked, "chops" being built, feet learning to step, lines being rehearsed, sets going up and sewing machines working overtime. Yes, it's staging all over again. Indeed it is as the cast of Tops In Blue '94 gets set to roll out the 41^st edition of our prestigious entertainment showcase. This year's show highlighting "music from the movies" features memorable songs from contemporary films. Sets include "Space", "Westerns", "Romance", "Gospel", and "Animation". This year's cast, selected from the final Worldwide Talent Contest, held last November, consists of 23 males and 8 females. A familiar face returns as this year's tour director -- Bob Brech (Tops In Blue '82 Tour Director -- "Ready Then, Ready Now"). The world premiere of Tops In Blue '94 is scheduled for June 12^th at Lackland AFB, at the Bob Hope Performing Arts Center (formerly known as the "Thunderbird" theater). If you can't make the premiere, catch the show on the road.

SPOTLIGHT - Whatever Happened To....?

Present: Stan's now a TSgt in the Air Force Band of Liberty, stationed at Hanscom AFB, MA. He performs as a percussionist in the Concert Band ("If it needs to be struck, I strike it!"). Married with two children, Stanley also performs regularly in the Boston area and in May will play in the musical production of "Once On This Island". He also plays drums for Hanscom's Gospel Service and enjoys spending time with his children. His son is active in sports and his daughter plays piano.

Present: A former Roger winner (1978), she currently resides in Aurora, Colorado. Involved in the arts as an actress - performing "Essie" in Livingston Hughes' "Tambourines To Glory" at the Eulipions Cultural Center and performing in a pilot show for PBS entitled "Parenting Works". In addition, Stephanie performs back-up vocals for recording artist Miles Jaye and she is working on her first jazz vocal album due for release in June, 1995. Stephanie is married to Michael Hancock and the couple have three children - Andrea, 12, Michael, 6, and Micah Angelique, 4.

Present: Currently in Civil Service, James resides in Manchester, Tennessee and works at Arnold AFB, TN in the Technology Directorate, where is involved in forecasting technological needs for future DOD systems. James is still actively involved in music, playing in a "lab" band in Chattanooga, Tennessee. James was one of the nearly 200 Tops In Blue cast members to attend the 40^th Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest last November.

Blue Notes

Belated congratulations to the former Jeri Jones (Tops In Blue wardrobe coordinator, WWTC special projects coordinator, actively involved in the program since '81.) She is now Jeri White, having married Walter White of Lackland's Air Force Band of the West last November. Remember Tops In Blue bass player Dwayne Smith (Tops In Blue '83, '84)? He's now playing with jazzman George Howard, who had a recent chart hit with a remake of "Grazing in the Grass".

Backstage

In the next edition, we'll hear from Tom Edwards, Director of Air Force Entertainment, we'll feature a story on the history-making Tops In Blue tour of eastern Europe, and we'll take a tour of the new Tops In Blue Production Center. As always, we'll have our "Spotlight" feature, and some other good stuff! See ya soon... T.A.