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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force's entertainment group, Tops In Blue, performed at Cabrillo High School, July 11, 2014. The elite group consists of singers, dancers and musicians. 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 countless air shows, military balls and special events.
Two performers stationed at VAFB, 1st Lt. Shannon Hart, 614th Air and Space Operations Center satellite protection duty officer, and Staff Sgt. Jacob Becker 576th Flight Test Squadron electrical mechanic technician took the time to answer a couple questions for the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs office.
Q: What made you decide to join Tops In Blue?
A: (Becker) I wanted a way to use my talents and gifts as a musician and give back to the Air Force.
(Hart) I have a passion for music and people and it's something that allowed me to do both; to express my passion through music by bringing joy to people.
Q: What instruments do you play?
A: (Becker) I am a drummer. I have been playing the drums for 22 years and played with several bands going through high school. I also did a small tour with a band here in California before joining the Air Force.
(Hart) I play keyboards and I have been playing the piano for 18 years. I also play for a local church in Santa Maria.
Q: What is your favorite song to perform?
A: (Becker) Classical Guess, it's our show opener and it's our way to show the audience what they're in for. It's a good song with a lot of energy that pumps us up so we know that the crowd will be into it too.
(Hart) I really love playing Love Train, there is just something about that song that gets me pumped!
Q: What has been your best experience with Tops In Blue?
A: (Hart) My best experience so far has been performing this past Fourth of July in front of a huge crowd of 10,000. I have never felt so proud of my country or felt so emotional on a Fourth of July like that day.
(Becker) That has to be my favorite experience too. I remember volunteering to serve concessions in that same arena and I watched Taylor Swift, Kelly Pickler, and all these massive artists perform on that stage and I remember thinking to myself, 'I just enlisted and completely threw away all the chances I had of performing on that stage,' and here I am seven years later performing on that stage. It was pretty wild for me. When the show was over I was just blown away by the experience.
Q: What is the process of joining Tops In Blue?
A: (Becker) It starts with an application through topsinblue.com and a video of yourself performing. If they like your performance you would go to the Air Force Worldwide Talent Search in San Antonio, Texas. It's 10 days of live auditions, rehearsals, and even a live performance. It's a very interesting experience.
Q: What reason would you give military and civilians to come see a performance?
A: (Hart) It's a very energetic, fun show and it will definitely lift your spirits up no matter what mood you come in with. I guarantee you will leave in an awesome mood or an even better mood than you came in with.
For more information on Tops In Blue, or to apply for the team visit their website at www.usafservices.com.