Tops In Blue

Tops in Blue
Tops in Blue performing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Background information
Origin	United States Air Force
Years active	1953 – 2016
Associated acts	The United States Air Force Band, The Airmen of Note
Website	www.topsinblue.com
Past members	Jerry Van Dyke Terry Weeks Kahlil Ashanti Sinbad Lane McCray

Tops in Blue was a touring performance ensemble made up of active duty members of the United States Air Force formed in 1953. For 63 years, Tops in Blue traveled to more than 20 countries to perform more than 120 times each year for airmen and families around the world. Each year, they performed in front of more than 250,000 military personnel and their families, presenting an average of 120 performances at 100 locations worldwide throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, and the Pacific.

The ensemble was composed of 30-35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians and was considered the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit. Members were expected to be in top physical condition because they were their own roadies. The team unloaded 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg) of equipment which used a stage and truss that was built to fit on 13 pallets or two truck trailers. They spent four to eight hours setting up the stage prior to a show and were responsible for tearing everything down immediately afterwards. Due to the grueling tour schedule, the team worked an average of 18–20 hours a day with 1–2 days off per month. Their primary purpose was to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. They have appeared on national television with Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Boyz II Men, Lee Greenwood, and Lea Michele.

Tops in Blue was produced by the Entertainment Branch of the Programs Directorate, Headquarters Air Force Services Agency. The program was funded by appropriated and non-appropriated funds that are generated by Air Force people and was sponsored by Coca-Cola. They produced five movies and two albums.

The unit was self-contained with its members consisting of four flights: personnel, logistics, operations, and technical.

Candidates for Tops in Blue submitted a video performance to Headquarters Air Force Services Agency. If selected for audition, they were flown from all over the world to Lackland AFB for a ten-day talent show and multilevel competition judged by former Tops in Blue members. The performers were picked in six categories: male vocalist, female vocalist, instrumentalist, musical variety, dance, and non-musical variety including comedians, magicians, and dramatists. Each year was a new group and past members were not guaranteed to return. Those selected attended a 45-day training period at Lackland AFB.