TIB WELCOMES A NEW CAST AFTER WWTC 99

Staging for TIB '99 Gets Underway at Lackland Following Another Great Worldwide at Andrews and the Final Show of the '98 Tour

As the cast of Tops In Blue 1998 concluded its tour and headed their separate ways, the newly named cast of TOPS IN BLUE 1999 arrived at Lackland AFB March 1st to begin staging. The new cast was selected at the 1999 Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest, which was once again held at Andrews AFB. This year's contest was another memorable affair filled with outstanding talent and supported by the dedicated efforts of a top-notch staff and a great job by the host base.

Once again, TIB priors stepped up to plate to ensure the contest would be a success. Tom Edwards had nothing but praise for the TIB family and staff members and would like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work. Meanwhile, Andrews turned in another stellar performance and Tom has already announced that the contest will return there in 2000 for an unprecedented fifth straight year. He will add an additional day to the competition next year to allow the contestants an extra day to focus on their performances.

The contest was highlighted by a wide variety of music styles and a wide range of talents. In addition, TIB '98 put on outstanding performances at both the Opening Ceremonies and the Announcement of Winners banquet, not only bringing the audience to their feet, but giving the contestants a glimpse of what TOPS IN BLUE is all about.

Winners of the 1999 AF Worldwide Talent Contest:

Best in Show:
A1C Tamiko Jordan - Lackland AFB, TX

Instrumental Solo:
1st - SSgt James Allen, Luke AFB, AZ
2nd - SrA Andrew Gervais - Misawa AB, JA

Specialty:
1st - A1C John Williams - RAF Mildenhall, UK
2nd - A1C Monica Leger - Vandenberg AFB, CA

Male Vocalist:
1st - A1C Richard Vasquez, Jr. - Malmstrom AFB, MT
2nd - SrA Joshua Moreaux, Jr. - F. E. Warren AFB, WY

Female Vocalist:
1st - A1C Tamiko Jordan - Lackland AFB, TX
2nd - SrA Diana Clemmons - Ft. Meade, MD

THE CAST OF TOPS IN BLUE 1999

Tom Edwards is pleased to announce that the Tour Director for this year's group will be TIB Prior CMSgt Eddie Wroblinski, who previously toured with Tops In Blue in 1988.

LANE McCRAY IS RECIPIENT OF THE 31ST GOLDEN ROGER

Among the many good things that have been said about Lane McCray, one of the most important is the fact that he has never forgotten his "roots." Despite his mercurial rise to prominence in the music industry as leader of the popular duo "About," Lane has always remained close to TOPS IN BLUE, which he credits for much of his success. He has continuously given his time and talents in support of the program. In recognition of his dedication, Lane was honored at the 1999 Worldwide Talent Contest as the 31st recipient of the prestigious Golden Roger Award. Lane did three and a half tours with Tops In Blue (on the half tour, he was recalled to his base due to a mission requirement).

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After leaving the Air Force, he went on to become one of the most popular entertainers in Europe. With "About," his popularity soared even higher and carried over into the U.S., where he has had several Top 40 hits, including a #6 on the Billboard Top 100.

Despite his hectic touring schedule, however, Lane has always found time to give something back to the program. He has conducted seminars and worked with contestants at Worldwide. He has repeatedly taken time to come to staging to talk to and work with the new cast members; often flying in for just a day or two between public appearances.

When he received the Golden Roger, he was utterly speechless, and his tears flowed freely. He finally managed to say that it was the greatest honor he had ever received. That really says a lot coming from someone who has known such great success in the entertainment world. It goes to shows how he feels about this program. His award of the 31st Golden Roger goes to show how the program feels about him!

SPOTLIGHT: Where Are They Now?

Name	Specialty	Tour
Ernest Johnson	Music Director	Tops In Blue 1954

Present: These days Ernest lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is pretty much retired. However, he does plays quiet supper club jazz gigs a few nights a month. For 18 years, he was the principal arranger for the Young Canadians for the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show. In the sixties, he wrote a couple of Hollywood movie scores and penned several country/western songs which were quite popular in Norway and Australia. As an interesting side note, the emcee on his TIB tour was Jerry Van Dyke.

Name	Specialty	Tour
Jim Dale	Comedian	Tops In Blue 1980 (Music of America)

Present: Jimmy D, as he was known, retired from the Air Force in 1984. He was a Wilco winner as an MC in 1980 and played the part of "Old Man Blue" on the tour. Jim has been living in the Philippines for the past 15 years where he runs a small guest house near the former Clark AB. Even though he's been out of the Air Force for 15 years, he's still sentimental about Tops In Blue and still displays his TIB plaques proudly.

Name	Specialty	Tour
Scott Hesser	Vocalist/ Keyboards	Tops In Blue 1986 (The Liberty Cruise)

Present: For the past 8 years, Scott has been working as a computer information systems consultant, providing business system analysis and programming for companies throughout the Midwest. He's been married for 9 years and he and his wife have a two-year old son named Benjamin. Still on the keys, Scott spends his free time writing, recording and marketing original material in the 16-track studio he built in the basement of his Granger, Indiana home.

BLUE NOTES

General News and info...

TIB '99 will be spending the 4th of July time frame at contingency bases overseas - Bosnia, Azores, Turkey and the Mediterranean. The tour will then return to Europe later in the year. They will present a preview show at the Randolph AFB Air Show - May 22nd. The World Premiere is slated for Lackland AFB on Memorial Day Weekend and the group will perform at the USPA/IRA National Convention in Washington DC in August. Best wishes to Gerald McMillian who recently retired from the AF. TIB 98's tour citation was signed by the Secretary of the Air Force, the first time the citation was signed at that level, which goes to show that TIB is not just a Services level program, but an Air Force level program with high visibility and a positive impact on the AF mission.