Tops in Blue to entertain Offutt

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  For the past 56 years, they've performed for servicemembers in almost every corner of the globe. Since 1953, Tops in Blue has presented more than 7,000 concerts in the United States, Europe and Asia. Soon, the Air Force's blue ambassadors will be here to entertain Team Offutt. 

Tops in Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainers, are scheduled to perform here Aug. 29 during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show. 

The entertainment group performs hundreds of shows every year for servicemembers and civilian communities. Every year the group's performance revolves around a different theme. This year's theme is "To Dream." According to its Web site, Tops in Blue's latest tour is an extravaganza of sight and sound. The show promises to take audience members on a journey of dreams both old and new with music for the young and young at heart. 

Col. John T. Rauch, 55th Wing vice commander, said he's looking forward to seeing the performance. 

"I'm thrilled to have Tops in Blue performing during Offutt's open house and air show," Colonel Rauch said. "I've seen several shows and they never cease to impress me. Some of the most talented singers and musicians I've ever seen are in Tops in Blue traveling thousands of miles every year to entertain our Airmen."

Each show he's seen is better than the last and Colonel Rauch said he's never left disappointed. "Tops in Blue performers always deliver an amazing performance and I'm sure Team Offutt and our local community will enjoy their show." 

The mission of the traveling music showcase is to boost morale, show the civilian community what the Air Force is made of and promote recruiting efforts, said Staff Sgt. Bryce W. Zabric, a vocalist and technical director for Tops in Blue. 

This is all achieved by putting on the best and most professional show possible, Sergeant Zabric added. "If the audience and troops are satisfied we have accomplished our mission." 

Members of Tops in Blue set up the stage before each show, rehearse, perform and then tear down the stage after the production. 

For the group's members, all of this is simply part of the job and bringing joy to America's warriors makes every ounce of sweat and lost hour of sleep worth it, said Sergeant Zabric. 

Tops in Blue shows consist of a wide variety of music and dancing. With each performance audience members can expect to hear anything from patriotic songs to country, rhythm and blues and pop. 

Glenn K. Simms, a program director with the 55th Force Support Squadron, has seen Tops in Blue perform more than a dozen times. According to him, anyone who plans to attend the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show will greatly enjoy the sights and sounds of the Air Force's expeditionary entertainers. 

Offutt can expect the same energetic, high-level performance that millions have experienced over the past 56 years, Mr. Simms said. 

Recently the showcase toured the Middle East and performed for thousands of deployed servicemembers. With every show people were excited to see Tops in Blue, Sergeant Zabric said. "We were actually the only form of live entertainment most bases had (seen) in months," he added. 

Each performance seemed to lift the morale of deployed Airmen and give them hope that they can do whatever they put their minds to, Sergeant Zabric said. 

So what can Offutt and the local community expect during the show? 

"An hour and a half of non-stop fun and excitement, and one of the best Tops in Blue shows of all time," Sergeant Zabric said. 

For more information about Tops in Blue, visit www.topsinblue.com.  

For more information about Offutt's open house and air show, visit www.offuttairshow.com.