GUIDON staff

Air Force Entertainment is once again bringing a night of lights, music and dancing to Fort Leonard Wood. The Tops In Blue 2012 World Tour takes the stage at 7 p.m. Monday at Baker Theater with a free show that is open to the public.

“This is the sixth year Tops in Blue has performed for Fort Leonard Wood,” said Eli Wilson, Community Activities manager with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

“This is the Air Force’s traveling world tour that they host annually, similar to the U.S. Army Soldier Show,” Wilson added. “It’s made up of all active-duty Air Force service members. It’s a full show that includes a wide range of music and choreography. It’s a great show, and it’s absolutely free.”

In its nearly 60 years of performances, Tops In Blue has become one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind. Composed of up to 40 of the most talented vocalists, musicians, dancers, and technicians anywhere, their primary purpose is to perform for military personnel and their Families throughout the world. However, the enormous popularity of the group has also made them America’s goodwill ambassadors around the globe.

To date, Tops in Blue has traveled more than four million miles to military bases throughout the world, performed at six World Fairs, more than 100 state fairs and festivals, and performed at countless air shows, military balls and special events.

Always billed as a high energy show, this year’s version is entitled “Listen!” and it invites audiences to listen to the music of life through the sounds we hear every day. It features the dynamic rhythms of The Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, and Maroon 5. This year’s tour also showcases the great country music of Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, and The Zac Brown Band. Of course, no Tops In Blue show would be complete without patriotic music that honors our nation and its heroes.

For more information about the Tops In Blue show on post, contact the FMWR Installation Wide Events office at 596.6913 or visit topsinblue.com.