We Are Family - The TOPS IN BLUE Priors Newsletter

The TOPS IN BLUE Priors Newsletter, Vol. 4, No. 2., March 1997

Worldwide '97: Another Picture of Success!

Outstanding Talent and TIB Priors' Involvement Make For A Memorable Contest

Despite the onslaught of budget cuts and downsizing, the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest continues to provide Air Force men and women with an opportunity to showcase their talents and fulfill the dream of being Tops In Blue. Worldwide has been around since 1953 and this year's contest at Andrews AFB, Maryland proved that after 44 years, it is still one of the Air Force's most vital, viable, and successful programs. One of the keys to the success of this year's Worldwide was the involvement of several TIB priors. For the past few years, Tom has asked priors to "step up the plate" and help with the program, and this year a number of priors did just that. In an effort to enhance the program and make it more of a learning experience, Tom divided the contestants into two teams and assigned each team a group of coordinators who worked with each act and prepared them for the stage. TIB priors Jim Walker, Percy Lewis, and Linda Campbell headed up one team, while J.B. Brooks and longtime TIB supporter Renee Brantly headed up the other. In addition, Derrick and Tracy Wright, Lorna Newton and others worked with the contestants as well. For good measure, Lane McCray, TIB prior and leader of the chart-topping duo LaBouche, flew in from Europe to further inspire the performers.


With this kind of support, the contestants in this year's contest had everything they needed to succeed.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, TIB priors kept the event running smoothly. Gloria Singleton, Lisa Farrar, Gary Smith, Jennifer Patton, Manuela Henning, Kevin Watt, Geno Collis, and Edward Jones joined another longtime TIB supporter, Jeri White, on the Contest Staff. Among those lending technical support were Jerry Kealler, Rick Lacombe, Tom Nollette and Dave Jackson. Yours truly, T.A. Burrows and Kahlil Walton served as Host Moderators, and in a Worldwide first, the contest band consisted solely of TIB priors - Darryl McEachin, Lucky Bush, Jim Wintermyre and Zef Smith. With this kind of support, the contestants in this year's contest had everything they needed to succeed and they took full advantage by providing exceptional performances on the stage. Although only three categories were represented this year, the talent was certainly worthy of a Worldwide competition. The judges faced a tough task in selecting the winners, but they did. The winners were:

Female Vocal: A1C Kimberly Gilbert, Keesler AFB, MS

Male Vocal: SrA Michael Fanning, Charleston AFB, SC

Instrumental: Amn John Gibby, Fairchild AFB, WA

Best of Show: A1C Kimberly Gilbert, Keesler AFB, MS

Tops in Blue '97

As a result of the 1997 Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest, here is the cast list for Tops In Blue '97.

Jeri White: the 28th Golden Roger Recipient

You may remember her as Jeri Jones. She began as the wardrobe coordinator for Tops In Blue in 1981. Since then she's not only kept all of us looking good, but she's become an integral part of the program in more ways than one. Now Jeri White, she's been the coordinator of special events, headed up the Worldwide Talent Contest staff, served as an advisor and handled a myriad of projects for Air Force Entertainment and Tops In Blue over the last sixteen years. And who could forget the vital role she played in the Super Bowl halftime show? To be sure, she's been more than just the wardrobe coordinator, she's been someone very special. And now she's just a little more special. She is the 28th recipient of the prestigious Air Force Entertainment Golden Roger Award. Citing her hard work and continuous dedication to the program, Tom Edwards presented her with the award at the 1997 Worldwide Talent Contest. Jeri thanked Tom for the opportunity to be a part of the program. But indeed it is the program that is thankful for Jeri White. It's devotion like hers that continues the tradition of Tops In Blue. Congratulations Jeri, and welcome to the club!

(Go to the top of the next column.)

 

Tops in Blue '97 Tour Schedule Is Announced

With this being the 50th Anniversary of the Air Force, Tops In Blue '97's show - "Heroes" is already in popular demand, despite the fact that the cast has only just gone into staging and hasn't even set foot on the stage yet. As such, this should prove to be hectic tour for TIB this year, with a number of special shows including locations such as New York City and Las Vegas. Here's the first portion of the itinerary as announced by AF Entertainment.

Back to the Present: TIB '57 Priors Find Their Way "Home"

The woman on the other end of the phone said her name was Patricia Williams and that she had toured with Tops In Blue. I've been with the program since '76 and her name wasn't familiar. There was a good reason for that. When she toured, I wasn't in the program. I wasn't even in the Air Force! When she toured, I was six! Pat, along with Frank Williams, and Phil Schwarz are three members of Tops In Blue 1957 who've found their way "home" and back to "The Family." Phil started the ball rolling. He inadvertently stumbled across the TIB web site and was amazed to find how much TIB had grown and how close knit "the family" was. Phil, in turn contacted Frank, who also logged on, followed by Patricia, who didn't have access to the Internet, but called me. We had a great chat and since then, she's become a subscriber to the newsletter. She also sent me a copy of TIB 57's original cast orders in hopes that we may find some of her other former cast members. As for Phil, who won a Roger with a Barbershop Quartet (The Air Chords) in '56 and finished second as a vocalist in '57, he's got tons of memorabilia from the '57 show and hopes to share it with AF Entertainment. To Phil, Patricia and Frank, it may have been a few years since you've been in touch with the program, but "family is family"... Welcome home! (The story continues, two years later.)

Spotlight: Where Are They Now?...

Name

Specialty

Tours

Francine Norrod

Vocalist

Tops In Blue '88 (The Magic of Imagination)


Tops In Blue '89 (A Dream Into the Future)

Present: "Cenie" is currently working for DISA as a systems analyst at the Defense Mega Center in San Antonio. While she claims most of her singing these days is done on smaller stages, like her shower, she does spend considerable time singing in her church choir. She's married to Chris, her "prince and God's gift," and the pair have an 11-year old son, Ryley who Francine says "sings like an angel....but dances like his mom." In her words, "Oh well, nobody's perfect!"

Name

Specialty

Tour

Marvin Shields

Percussionist

Tops In Blue '89 (A Dream into the Future)

Present: "Mr. Time" lives in Washington state and is still keeping time these days. He's traveling with two R&B groups - "Concept" which performs throughout Canada and is about to release a CD and "Unfinished Business" which is also planning a CD release as well as a tour of Europe and Asia. As if that's not enough, Marvin's also done some session work with Grammy-award winner, Celine Dion. In his "spare time," he's attending the Art Institute of Seattle, studying video production. Upon completing his schooling, he's planning to work in network news in the Seattle area.

Blue Notes

TIB priors MSgt Tommy Mason and TSgt Chris Knox recently retired from the Air Force and CMSgt Tonia Walker plans to do likewise this fall. Ed Knox is back in the states, in the D.C. area. He's working for a defense contractor and his wife (Maj.) is assigned to the Pentagon. Stacie and Jeff Horst are out of the military and living in South Dakota. He's working for the phone company and she's at South Dakota State University as a theater major. Antoine Wilson is starting his own talent management venture - OL Entertainment - and he's working with Reggie Washington on a number of musical projects. That's it...See you in June with a TIB update and more. Ciao.....T.A.