“This was my first time on stage,” said 2nd Lt. Carlos Jayme, who took first place for specialty music variety. He sang, played guitar and keyboards. “My heart was racing, but once I got on stage, the spotlight came on, and I couldn’t see all the eyes on me, which made it easier.”
Amidst all the contestants are former TIB members who have come to help out as team leaders. One team leader has gone on to become the male half of the recording group, La Bouche, who has sold more than 10 million records.
“Tops in Blue is where I got started,” said Lane McCray. “I tried to overcome being introverted, and I found that I became more comfortable on stage. I got out [of the Air Force] in 1994 after I got done with my final (TIB) tour. I was trying to find something to fulfill me as much as the drive and the work that Tops in Blue had.”
That was when he got into the recording studio and soon afterward signed a recording deal.
“Every year since 1996, I’ve come back here for this,” Mr. McCray said. “It’s really surprising. You get here the first day, and these kids are really drained, and they look like a deer caught in headlights. But once we start working with them and start bringing out their talent, it’s such a joy to see (how well they do). There’s a great deal of talent here.”
Commanders will notify those selected for the 2004 TIB tour March 26.
The first-place winners of the talent show were:
-- Male vocalist: Airman 1st Class Antonio Dandridge from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan.
-- Female vocalist: Staff Sgt. Kristina Robinson from the 789th Communications Squadron at Andrews AFB, Md.
-- Instrumental (saxophone): Senior Airman Timothy Vidal from the 14th Fighter Wing at Columbus AFB, Miss.
-- Specialty dance: Airman 1st Class Jamell Mejia from the 752nd CS at Tinker AFB, Okla.
-- Specialty music variety (vocal, guitar, keyboard): Lieutenant Jayme from the 690th Computer Systems Squadron here.
