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Tops In Blue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tops In Blue is a touring performance ensemble made up of active duty members of the United States Air Force. However, unlike members of the various Air Force band units, members of Tops In Blue have "regular" Air Force jobs when not on tour. They can be aircraft mechanics, office workers, cooks, drivers, or have any other job that the Air Force offers. Members chosen for Tops In Blue must request PTDY (Permissive Temporary Duty) orders away from their normal duty stations to travel with Tops In Blue. The tour is about 1 year long.
Air Force Major Al Reilly created the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest in 1953, and Tops In Blue began as a tour showcasing the winners in various categories of the contest. The Tops In Blue cast is chosen from participants at the Worldwide Talent Contest, but the winners of the categories in the Talent Contest are not necessarily chosen for Tops In Blue.
If a performer wants to be on Tops In Blue a second or subsequent time, they must go through the entire selection process again. Having been on the tour once does not guarantee selection again in the future. Each year the team is composed of different people, some have toured before but most have not.
In 1985, an expanded production of Tops In Blue performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XIX.
They also have formed an alliance with Portola Middle School in Tarzana, CA. Tops in Blue donates costumes to the Portola Singers Show Choir. In return, the kids send letters and gifts to Tops in Blue.