Tops in Blue entertains Spartans with diverse musical production

Photo By Master Sgt. Duff E. Mcfadden | Staff Sgt. James Alston a vocalist with the Tops in Blue performance group and a Gainesville, Fla., resident, belts out a love song during their July 8 performance at Contingency Operating Site Marez in Mosul Iraq. The stop was part of their 2010 "We Believe" tour, as they entertained Soldiers from the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. 3rd Infantry Division.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IRAQ

07.08.2010

Story by Master Sgt. Duff E. Mcfadden 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Songs by artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and Montgomery Gentry filled the Community Activities Center at Contingency Operating Base Marez, June 8, as Tops in Blue, the Air Force’s expeditionary entertainers, performed for “Spartan” Soldiers of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

This was their 12th of a 16-stop Iraqi tour, which began June 2 at Forward Operating Base Prosperity in Al Salam. Once they’ve toured U.S. military bases in Iraq, they’ll continue on to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and then Qatar.

Their current tour, “We Believe,” is a salute to American beliefs – love, family and freedoms. These beliefs were represented through a range of music from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water,” to a medley of Michael Jackson tunes.

“I’ve spent 25 years in the Air Force and I have to be at an Army FOB in the middle of nowhere in order to see them,” said Maj. Ken Clanin, the Brigade Air Liaison for the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “Actually, it’s even more special to see them here, than anywhere else,” said the Stone Mountain, Ga., resident.

Edward Lee Jones, the group’s performance director, is in his 20th year with the Air Force musical group. He said Tops in Blue Alumni have included singers and actors such as Jerry Van Dyke (“Coach”), Frank Gorshin (The Riddler, in TV’s “Batman” show), and comedian Sinbad.

“The best part is coming to a region such as this, is moving people’s minds and taking them away from here for 90 minutes,” said Jones, a Natchez, Miss., resident. “We get to sing, dance and travel. We wouldn’t be here if not for the faces and hearts of the people we perform for.

“They’re out there every day putting their lives on the line. We want them to focus on nothing but us for that hour-and-a half. We feel our current theme, ‘We Believe,’ brings it all home for the troops,” he said.

Since its inception, Tops in Blue has traveled more than four million miles to military bases throughout the world, performed at six world fairs, over 100 state fairs and festivals and performed at countless air shows, military balls and special events. They’ve also produced five movies, two albums and performed in six Bob Hope Specials.

The late retired Maj. Al Reilly created the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest in 1953 to recognize talented Airmen in various categories, ranging from comedy, drama, vocals, gospel, vocal and instrumental groups, country and western, and several others.

Reilly then selected the top talent from the competition, and produced a show with a troupe of the best Air Force entertainers. His wife came up with the name, “Tops in Blue.”

The current team is led by Capt. John Early and 1st Sgt. John Clark, and consists of 36 Air Force personnel, including musicians and technical staff.

• Date Taken: 07.08.2010
• Date Posted: 07.15.2010 10:59
• Story ID: 52868
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IQ