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.
Ensemble
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 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. 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.
Audition
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.
History
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 performing at 230 locations in 235 days. Initially, the contest was judged in 14 categories ranging from comedy, drama, pop, jazz, hillbilly, vocal and instrumental. It was judged by celebrities like Barry White, Les Brown, Richard Roundtree, and Esther Williams. In 1954, Ed Sullivan invited Tops in Blue to perform at Mitchel Air Field, NY on his show "Toast of the Town" where Airman Second ClassJerry Van Dyke led the show as Master of Ceremonies. 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. However, in 1971 Tops in Blue gained Air Force support to return to the stage on their return to live tours in 1972.
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, who when provided an Air Force questionnaire, viewed it as a "waste of time and money". The reported costs of the program are relatively low, but the unreported costs for salaries, injuries, overseas flights, lodging, etc. is estimated to be much higher. In addition to the monetary issues, the program has had reported fraternization, dangerous work practices, mistreatment, and sexual harassment. In an October 2015 Air Force-wide survey, results from 4,700 responses showed that Airmen between 25 and 34 generally had poor opinions of Tops in Blue and, despite widespread awareness of the program, only about 25% of respondents had attended an event. The survey revealed only 19% of the force was supportive of the program. The results of this survey triggered a review of the program and a suspension of the 2016 tour. The Air Force cited lukewarm interest and fiscal constraints as the primary reason for canceling.
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 reassess its mission, venue, themes and cost. The Secretary of the Air Force permanently shut down Tops In Blue on 1 September 2016.
