Tops in Blue '97 Honors AF Heroes, History

This year's show, "Heroes," celebrates the Air Force's 50th Anniversary. Tops In Blue 1997 is on the road! The group premiered at Lackland on April 13th and has already made 25 stops on a worldwide tour that will take them through February 1998. This year's show is titled "Heroes," and honors the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force. For this momentous occasion, Tops In Blue has taken on several new dimensions. As in previous years, the show begins with the presentation of the colors by the honor guard. This year, however, that honor guard is composed of members of the TIB cast! During this year's staging, a member of the Air Force Honor Guard in Washington D.C. was on hand to train the cast not only in the presentation of the colors, but also in a slick rifle routine that follows the National Anthem. The show itself then gets underway as computer technicians begin to boot up a huge simulated computer system, complete with a giant monitor screen. With flashing lights and high tech special effects, the computer initialization sequence is indeed a sight to see.

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Video segments show not only feature Air Force history and heroes, but also highlight fads, news stories, fashion and music trends.

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Once the computer is booted up, we begin a search of Air Force history from 1947 to the present. Following an historic video clip, the stage comes to life with music. The musical segments of the show highlight hit songs from the 40s-50's, 60s-70's, and 80s-90's. Video footage plays a large part in this year's show, with video segments from the corresponding eras. These segments show not only Air Force history and heroes, but also highlight fads, news stories, fashion and music trends from each era. Interestingly enough, the video segments not only serve as transitions between the eras, but also transition between songs in the set. In addition, there are some great interactive video segments from which the cast seems to virtually come to life on stage, from the video screen. The show's finale features a tribute not only to Air Force heroes, but also to the heroes who have made America great - factory workers, teachers, mothers and other individuals who are everyday heroes. In all, "Heroes" is a great show that not only recognizes the Air Force's 50th Anniversary, but also the heroes who have made a difference in our lives.

"Heroes" On and Off Stage

TIB Applauded for Special Show and Assistance in Grand Forks, ND

The title of this year's Tops In Blue show is "Heroes," and to the people of Grand Forks, ND that title is more than appropriate. With the help of priors Ed Knox and Kahlil Walton, Tops In Blue '97 not only presented a special, unscheduled performance in Grand Forks for the victims of the severe floods that ravaged the city, but they also assisted with cleanup efforts. Prior Bob Morrow was also there and he said the group presented two special shows, titled "The Spirit of Grand Forks," which provided a welcomed diversion for this town of 50,000, and included a rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" which the people of Grand Forks had previously adopted as their unofficial song. Following the shows, the cast went to residential areas in Grand Forks and helped people knock down walls, pull up carpeting, haul trash to the street, etc. Kudos to TIB '97 and all those involved. Indeed this is what being Tops In Blue is all about! (Thanks Bob!)

TIB Database Growing; Thanks for Spreading the Word!

Newsletter, Website, Word of Mouth Bring Family Members Back into the Fold

From the beginning, the goal was simple: Find a way to bring the Tops In Blue family back together. I began in May 1993 by developing a "little" newsletter. In September 1995, Bob Morrow started developing a small TIB site on the World Wide Web. These were the humble beginnings of our quest. Now four years later, it is amazing to see how far we've come. My original newsletter list had 36 people on it. Today, that list has evolved into a database of 186 names! And it continues to grow daily. As for the website, what began as a small "page" has developed into a first rate, interactive, award-winning site, complete with tour updates, cast rosters, photos, music, TIB history and more.

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It's also incredible to think that we've located TIB priors from as far back as 1954! As I look at what has been accomplished, I realize that Bob and I may have set the wheels in motion, but much of the success is due to those of you who have spread the word. Without the information you've provided, without you putting the word out, without you helping us locate other priors, none of this would have come to pass. Bob and I both appreciate your efforts and thank you for helping us to get closer to that goal. Of course, Bob and I feel that we haven't reached that goal until we've reached every member of our family. Indeed that might be a lofty goal, but then again, making Tops In Blue in the first place was a lofty goal for most of us. So, thanks again for a great job, and by all means, keep spreading the word!

SPOTLIGHT: Where Are They Now?...

Present: Multi-talented Darryl is currently stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey where he is assigned as a Computer Systems Monitor. He is still very active in the entertainment arena. Lately, he's been writing and arranging local studio work, building his own home studio and sequencing music for local singers and shows. He's also been working on several projects for TIB prior Kevin McNulty's production company and helping out with the talent program. In fact, Darryl was the keyboard player for the prior's band which played for this year's Worldwide Talent Contest.

Present: This TIB duo is still active and they're stationed at Vandenberg AFB, California. Sheila's still in the AF and occasionally performs in the local area. Preston is working full time, but is also pursuing an entertainment career. When he's not working on demos, he's in L.A. garnering parts as an extra in movie productions. In their "spare" time, Sheila and Preston are raising two lovely children, boys Alex and Charlie, born 14 months apart. It's more than enough to keep them busy!

Present: Stephania left the Air Force in December 1995. She and her husband Chuck currently live in Norman, Oklahoma. They have no children, but they've got two great puppies and a cat who thinks she owns the house! Currently, Stephania is completing her degree in Vocal Music Education and is looking forward to graduating in December 1998, after which she intends to teach high school level choir.

Present: R.J. is still in the Air Force. He's a Captain now and stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida, where he is developing distance learning applications for computers and the Internet. Married, he and his wife have two daughters and a new son. R.J. recently purchased a lovely little retirement home overlooking Okaloosa Bay and the Destin Bridge. He's also still involved in theater and was recently cast for a small speaking role in Jim Carrey's upcoming movie, "The Truman Show" which is due out in August '97.

Blue Notes

Oops! - In mentioning the priors who were at WWTC '97, I forgot Roy Mills and Kellee Ryan, Sorry! Got an E-mail from Earl Hanna. Who's he? The guy who in the 70's wrote the "Tribute to Tops In Blue" poem that Tom reads at WWTC each year. Earl is now a GS-13 Logistics Management Specialist at Los Angeles AFB, CA. Rick Hayden just finished an internship at United Airlines and hopes for a pilot position within the next two years. Longtime TIB supporter Carol Sudy and TIB prior Francine Norrod are the latest additions to the Air Force Entertainment Staff. Congrats to both! More in September - Peace Out...T.A.