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Cannon gets ‘Deja Blue’ experience

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Thomas Trower
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment showcase gave Airmen, their families, and Clovis and Portales residents a performance at Greyhound Arena, in Portales, N.M., celebrating more than 55 years of entertainment Feb. 23. 

The Tops in Blue show was nearly the last of more than 120 performances it held across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and 25 other countries during their 2008 "Deja Blue" World Tour. 

The Deja Blue theme took the audience through a timeline of musical performances of '70s music to current hits that allowed the audience to "reexperience" the music. 

"Our main goal is to raise the morale of troops and families," said Bob Storck, operations manager for Air Force Entertainment, which is based in San Antonio, Texas. "We do this by supporting the Air Force through what we do. Our motto is, 'family entertaining family.'" 

This year was the first time in about eight years that the performance was held in Portales, said Paul Hopkins, the Cannon Community Center manager. Using Greyhound Arena, normally a basketball arena for Eastern New Mexico University, the 37 Airmen were able to perform for approximately 1,400 viewers, he said. 

"I loved (the show)," said Yolanda Romero, marketing director for the 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron. "I loved the Disney part the most; it was my favorite. When they played the songs from the '80s -- like Footloose -- it really took me back to the day." 

Because the event was held off base, the showcase reached families other than those of servicemembers. 

"We welcome any opportunity to perform for the local community," said Mr. Storck. "We aim to display the professionalism people have come to expect of the entire Air Force." 

Auditions for Tops in Blue are held annually across the Air Force. In addition to vocal and musical performers, a variety of support staff is needed to run equipment, build the sets and assist with travel. The audition period for the 2009 world tour has concluded, but interested Airmen may apply online for the 2010 season at www.topsinblue.com.

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