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Show July 18, 1996 15 Hilltop Times in Blue Tops Force talent production thrills crowd Air by Sue Berk Hilltop Times staff Romance was in the air as the most talented performers in the Air Force touched the hearts of thousands Sunday. Tops In Blue made a stop at Hill AFB during their annual tour of Air Force bases around the world. The traveling entertainers took more than 3,000 spectators back in time to hear the past's most memorable love songs bringing them up through the years to today's hits. Hill's Centennial Park was first transformed into a symphony hall as the 24 vocalists, musicians and dancers sang love songs from the '50s and '60s. At the next stop in time the singers performed a rooftop concert belting out songs from Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, the Temptations, the Righteous Brothers and the Air Force's own Blues Brothers. Rosie Loves' Dance Hall and Saloon brought back line dancing and country hits, followed by the "Love Doctor" and the top hits from the '90s. The crowd rocked and jammed to songs made popular by Hootie and the Blowfish, All for One, Elton John, Gloria Estefan and Celine Dion. The final thoughts of love brought the crowd to their feet as the troupe finished their nearly two-hoperformance with the patriotic passion of "America The Beautiful" and the Air Force song. , Tops in Blue is one of the oldest entertainment groups of its kind. The production is an all active duty U.S. Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities. Each year, thousands compete in base talent contests, with the most talented moving on to higher levels of competition. The result is an elite group of the Air Force's most talented vocalists, musicians and dancers. Their main purpose is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. Each cast begins its tour with an intense training period at Lackland AFB, Texas. The per- -- it i - i ry 4 y formers must not only master the instrumental, vocal, choreography and staging requirements of the performance but also the responsibilities of being their own technical staff. The performing cast, under the guidance of five technical personnel, are responsible for setting up more than 30,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio and special effects equipment required for each performance. They are also a complete operational unit with each member being responsible for logistical responsibilities such as ground transportation, airlift, lodging, messing, wardrobe and palletizing throughout the h tour. Sunday's performance was sponsored by the 75th Services Division, AT&T, and USPA and IRA. In addition to sponsoring the concert, a chance to win $200 of free long distance calls was offered by AT&T. Capt. Robert Falvey, 75th Operations Support Squadron, won the drawing. nine-mont- Tops in Blue (Above) As part of the also enL SrA. Anzjon trombone Tonya band, player Faciane and joys the show. (Below) SrA. Tobin G. A1C Brian S. McCall played the Air Force's own Brothers. of Blues the version n nine-memb- (l-- - ill xsi ir a r. jT y-1CfT- TO T,r J! ... of the crowd. The Rosie Loves' Dance Hall and Saloon singers belted out country tunes to the delight ,, 1 1 Buns." (Above, left) Tour director and vocalist got Into the action singing "Sugar Pie, Honey V. f ve mato tho Rhnui run smooth rihrt akw mo iuui irom lui. iunes sang CMSgt. Jose inuu, effects. and audio on scenes special behind the work lighting, technical personnel (Left) The. crowd H. Photos by Doug James t |