Senior Airman Emmanuel Maldonado Rosario and Staff Sgt. Robin Elrod, Tops in Blue Vocalists, sing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. TIB is composed of 35 to 40 vocalists, musicians, dancers, and technicians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
Airman 1st Class Timothy Sentz, Tops in Blue vocalist, sings a country song during a performance at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. Sentz is from the 375th Communication Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
Tech. Sgt. Tonie Marshall, Tops in Blue vocalist, pauses during a performance at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. Marshall is from the 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
A member of Tops in Blue performs a mime routine during a show at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. TIB perform approximately 130 shows yearly for military personnel and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
Members of Tops in Blue perform a Michael Jackson tribute at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. TIB is an active duty Air Force special unit made up of talented performers selected for their entertainment abilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
Airman 1st Class Jessica Pitts, Tops in Blue trumpet player, performs at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2012. Pitts is from the 606th Air Control Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)
by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo
9th RW Public Affairs
6/26/2012 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- More than 400 members from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., weathered 100 degree heat and crowed the hanger of dock 6 to see Tops in Blue, June 16.
TIB is group of Airmen composed of 35 to 40 vocalists, dancers, musicians, and technicians whose primary purpose is to perform and raise moral for military personnel and their families throughout the world.
The group's tour for this year is entitled "Listen" and showcased the music of life through the sounds people hear every day. The show featured vocal and instrumental songs from pop music, jazz, rock, county, rhythm and blues, to include an interpretive dance.
"It was simply amazing," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Britt, 9th Comptroller Squadron, who attended the event with her son. "He enjoyed the whole show but loved the mime skit."
In addition to mastering their showmanship, performers must also become accomplished in the technical skills needed to support their tour.
Under the guidance of their technical personnel, the performing team is responsible for setting up more than 64,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, video and special effects equipment required for each performance.
"It's really quite mind-boggling to see how they set everything up," said 2nd Lt. Devin Wolfe, 9th Force Support Squadron, and coordinator of the event.
For nearly 60 years, TIB has served as America's ambassadors, traveling to more than 20 countries to perform close to 130 shows yearly.
"It was great having them perform at Beale, It was an awesome show," said Britt. "It was one of the best Tops in Blue I've ever seen; I definitely want to see them again."
