Tops In Blue

{{Short description|US musical group (1953–2016)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Tops In Blue | image = Tops in Blue.jpg | alt = Tops in blue | caption = Tops In Blue performing at [[Lackland Air Force Base]], [[Texas]] | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = [[United States Air Force]] | genre = | years_active = 1953–2016 | label = | associated_acts = [[The United States Air Force Band]], [[The Airmen of Note]] | website = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20051221203207/http://www.topsinblue.com:80/}} | current_members = | past_members = [[Jerry Van Dyke]]<ref name="wral">{{cite web|url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/115214/|title=Springer Journal: 'Tops in Blue'... A Super Bowl Event|date=January 27, 2005|access-date=February 7, 2011}}</ref> <br /> [[Terry Weeks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.minot.af.mil/News/story/id/123225237/ |title=Coming together in true Scandinavian style|date=October 6, 2010|author=Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton|access-date=February 13, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225121310/http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123225237|archive-date=December 25, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> <br /> [[Kahlil Ashanti]]<ref>{{IMDb name|1832126|Kahlil Ashanti}}</ref> <br /> [[Sinbad (entertainer)|Sinbad]]<ref name="wral" /><br />[[Lane McCray]]{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} }}

'''Tops In Blue''' was a touring performance ensemble made up of active duty members of the [[United States Air Force]] formed in 1953.<ref name="army">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/50958/air-force-performance-group-tops-in-blue-staging-free-show-in-monterey-feb-8/|title=Air Force performance group, 'Tops in Blue,' staging free show in Monterey Feb. 8|date=January 27, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123240484/|title=Tops in Blue to perform at Super Bowl XLV|author=Erin Tindell|publisher=Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-date=July 19, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719101948/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123240484|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=178|title=Tops in Blue|date=October 17, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412010554/http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=178|archive-date=April 12, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

== Ensemble == The ensemble was composed of 30–35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians<ref name="al">{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/01/air_forces_tops_in_blue_to_per.html|title=Air Force's Tops in Blue to perform at Super Bowl pre-game|date=January 31, 2011}}</ref> and was considered the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-news/tops-in-blue-to-perform-at-super-bowl.html|title=Tops in Blue to Perform at Super Bowl|date=February 1, 2011}}</ref> Members were expected to be in top physical condition because they were their own [[roadie]]s. The team unloaded {{convert|60000|lb|kg}} of equipment which used a stage and truss that was built to fit on 13 pallets or two truck trailers.<ref name="aboutus" /> They spent four to eight hours setting up the stage prior to a show and were responsible for tearing everything down immediately afterwards.<ref name="dodlive">{{cite web|url=http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/11/tops-in-blue-its-not-just-singing-dancing-we-do/ |title=Tops in Blue: It's not just singing, dancing we do|first=Jette |last=Warnick |date=November 11, 2010 |website=U.S. Air Force Live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215164720/http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/11/tops-in-blue-its-not-just-singing-dancing-we-do/ |archive-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hookelenews.com/tops-in-blue/|title=Tops in Blue|date=January 28, 2011}}</ref> Their primary purpose was to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world.<ref name="army" /> They have appeared on national television with [[Ed Sullivan]], [[Bob Hope]], [[Alabama (American band)|Alabama]], [[Barbara Mandrell]], [[Boyz II Men]], [[Lee Greenwood]],<ref name="army" /> and [[Lea Michele]].<ref name="al" />

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<ref name="factsheet" /> and was sponsored by [[Coca-Cola]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/component/content/article/3-newsflash/160-tops-in-blue-march-4th|title=Tops in Blue – March 4th|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910133228/http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/component/content/article/3-newsflash/160-tops-in-blue-march-4th|archive-date=September 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> They produced five movies and two albums.<ref name="aboutus">{{cite web|url=http://www.topsinblue.com/about-us.html|title=About us|publisher=Tops in Blue}}</ref>

The unit was self-contained with its members consisting of four [[Flight (military unit)|flights]]: personnel, logistics, operations, and technical.<ref>{{Citation| last = Johnson| first = Gabe| date = June 6, 2008| title = Tops in Blue member makes Tucson show a memorable homecoming| publisher = Desert Lightning News| volume = 2| issue = 23| pages = 1, 10, 11| url = http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/1181162/dln_06062008A24.pdf| access-date = February 13, 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714064723/http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/1181162/dln_06062008A24.pdf| archive-date = July 14, 2011| df = mdy-all}}</ref>

== Audition == Candidates for Tops in Blue submitted a video performance to Headquarters Air Force Services Agency.<ref name="wwtc" /> If selected for audition, they were flown from all over the world to [[Lackland AFB]] for a ten-day talent show and multilevel competition<ref name="dodlive" /> judged by former Tops in Blue members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforce/a/topsinblue.htm|title=Air Force Tops in Blue Selections|date=March 26, 2004|author=SrA Catharine Schmidt|publisher=Air Force News Service}}</ref> The performers were picked in six categories: male vocalist, female vocalist, instrumentalist, musical variety, dance, and non-musical variety including comedians, [[Magic (illusion)|magicians]], and dramatists.<ref name="wwtc" /> 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]].<ref name="aboutus" />

== History == [[File:USAF Major Al Reilly.png|thumb|right|Major Al Reilly]]Air Force Major Al Reilly created the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest in 1953, and Tops in Blue began as a tour showcasing the best members of the contest<ref name="tib">{{cite web|url=http://www.topsinblue.com/history.html|title=More than 50 years of world class entertainment|access-date=February 7, 2011}}</ref> performing at 230 locations in 235 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwguardian.com/2011/01/27/9389/an-entertainment-showcase.html|title=Tops in Blue An entertainment showcase|publisher=Northwest Guardian|author=Lorin T. Smith|date=January 27, 2011|access-date=February 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714213430/http://www.nwguardian.com/2011/01/27/9389/an-entertainment-showcase.html|archive-date=July 14, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Initially, the contest was judged in 14 categories ranging from comedy, drama, pop, [[jazz]], [[hillbilly]], vocal and [[instrumental]].<ref name="wwtc">{{cite web|url=http://www.topsinblue.com/page320029.html|title=Worldwide Talent Contest}}</ref> It was judged by celebrities like [[Barry White]], [[Les Brown (bandleader)|Les Brown]], [[Richard Roundtree]], and [[Esther Williams]].<ref name="wwtc" /> In 1954, Ed Sullivan invited Tops in Blue to perform at [[Mitchel Air Force Base|Mitchel Air Field]], [[New York (state)|NY]] on his show "[[Toast of the Town]]" where Airman Second Class [[Jerry Van Dyke]] led the show as [[Master of Ceremonies]].<ref name="tib" /> In 1964, Tops in Blue left the stage to record in a movie studio to produce films and records for distribution throughout the Air Force.<ref name="tib" /> However, in 1971 Tops in Blue gained Air Force support to return to the stage on their return to live tours in 1972.<ref name="tib" />

== Notable events == [[File:Tops In Blue & Lea Michele at Super Bowl XLV.jpg|thumb|Tops In Blue perform "America the Beautiful" with [[Lea Michele]] at [[Super Bowl XLV]].]] In 1981 they performed the halftime show at the [[Garden State Bowl]].<ref name="army" /> In 1985, an expanded production of Tops in Blue performed with help from over 1,400 volunteers from [[Mather AFB]] at the halftime show of [[Super Bowl XIX]].<ref name="wral" /><ref name="tib" /> In 2002, they performed at the [[Daytona 500]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journalscene.com/news/Air-Force-s-Tops-in-Blue-to-give-free-performance-for-community|title=Air Force's Tops in Blue to give free performance for community|date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> They performed [[The Star-Spangled Banner]] in 2005 for Game 6 of the [[NBA Finals]]<ref name="army" /> and in 2009 at the [[2009 Coca-Cola 600|Coca-Cola 600]].<ref name="nascar">{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/2009/races/lapbylap/05/24/lap.by.lap.charlotte/index.html|publisher=NASCAR|title=Lap-by-Lap: Charlotte|date=May 26, 2009|access-date=February 13, 2011}}</ref> At the pregame show preceding [[Super Bowl XLV]] Tops in Blue performed "America the Beautiful" alongside actress [[Lea Michele]].<ref name="al" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/01/airforce-tops-blue-013111w/|title=Tops in Blue to perform at Super Bowl|date=January 31, 2011}}</ref>

==Controversy== Tops in Blue came under scrutiny due to decreasing military budgets and a perception that the show was not supported by the younger enlisted force (many of whom had never attended a performance). Many of these younger enlisted force when provided an Air Force questionnaire, viewed it as a "waste of time and money".<ref>http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/12/21/air-force-cancels-tops-in-blues-2016-tour-pending-review/77707654/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> The reported costs of the program were relatively low, but the unreported costs for salaries, injuries, overseas flights, lodging, etc. were estimated to be much higher. In addition to the monetary issues, there were reports of [[fraternization]], dangerous work practices, mistreatment, and [[sexual harassment]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/12/29/tops-in-blues-tour-from-hell/78034206/|title=Tops in Blue's tour from hell|date=December 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="fitzgerald2015" /> In an October 2015 Air Force–wide survey, results from 4,700 responses showed that airmen between the ages of 25 and 34 generally had poor opinions of Tops in Blue. Many had never attended a performance and, despite widespread awareness of the program and the 60 year mission of boosting troops and families morale, only about 25% of respondents had attended an event. The reasons for nonattendance cited by the remaining 75% were popularity, limited seating in small venues, or disinterest.<ref name="fitzgerald2015">{{cite news|url=http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article51778420.html|work=Helleville News-Democrat|title=Grueling tour schedule makes Tops In Blue ripe for workplace injuries|author=Mike Fitzgerald|date=Dec 27, 2015|access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref> The survey revealed only 19% of the force was supportive of the program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/637595/air-force-cancels-2016-season-of-tops-in-blue/|title=Air Force cancels 2016 season of Tops in Blue|author=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|publisher=Air Force News Services|date=December 21, 2015|access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref> The results of this survey triggered a review of the program and a suspension of the 2016 tour.<ref name="fitzgerald2015" /> The Air Force cited lukewarm interest and fiscal constraints as the primary reason for canceling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force-shuts-down-tops-in-blue-program-for-2016-1.385386|author=Jennifer H Svan|work=Stars and Stripes|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=August 12, 2016|title=Air Force shuts down Tops in Blue program for 2016}}</ref>

==Cancellation== In December 2015 the Secretary of the Air Force announced the suspension of the 2016 season to allow an extended review of the program. The decision was made to pause the program and to reassess its mission, venue, themes and cost.<ref name="TIB Canceled">{{cite web|title=Air Force cancels 2016 season of Tops in Blue|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/637595/air-force-cancels-2016-season-of-tops-in-blue/|website=U.S. Air Force|access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>

The Secretary of the Air Force permanently shut down Tops In Blue on 1 September 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/tops-in-blue-permanently-shut-down|title = Tops in Blue permanently shut down|date = September 16, 2016}}</ref>

==See also== *[[United States Air Force]] *[[The United States Air Force Band]] *[[The Airmen of Note]]

==References== {{Include-USGov|agency=United States Air Force}} {{reflist|2}}

==External links== * [https://www.usafservices.com/TopsInBlue.aspx Tops In Blue] * [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104589/tops-in-blue/ USAF Fact Sheet] * [http://www.tibpriors.org/ Tops in Blue Priors] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110703090116/http://tib.dodlive.mil/ Tops In Blue official blog]

[[Category:United States Air Force personnel]] [[Category:Bands of the United States Air Force]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1953]] [[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2016]] [[Category:American organizations established in 1953]] [[Category:2016 disestablishments in the United States]]