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Tops in Blue selects second Team Shaw member

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Susan Penning
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  First Lt. Andi Andrews has been singing on stage since she was 11 years old. So when she found out a few talented people got to travel around the world with the Air Force and do just that, she jumped at the chance. 

With the help of folks from the 20th Services Squadron, who set up her stage performance at Shaw, and the 20th Communications Squadron, who videotaped and edited the footage, the lieutenant put together an audition tape in October for Tops in Blue. Tops in Blue is the U.S. Air Force's premiere entertainment group whose members travel around the world and have performed at such events as Ed Sullivan and Bob Hope TV specials, the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500. 

After her tape was reviewed, Lt. Andrews, who's currently assigned to the 609th Air Communications Squadron, was invited to compete at the next level, the Tops in Blue world-wide talent competition, held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. While there, she sang, danced, played her clarinet and did a tae kwon do routine as part of the required specialty audition, where judges look at other unique talents. 

After the grueling audition, the lieutenant waited for a call back. She was told if she made the team, she would know by Thanksgiving. 

The holidays came and went, and Lt. Andrews figured she hadn't made the cut. Imagine her surprise when Tops in Blue called her in January to see if she would take a job as the team's 2006 tour director. 

"Sheer excitement is the best way to describe how I felt when I heard the news," she said. 

Because she would be required to leave on short notice, Lt. Andrews had to count on her commander and the Air Force Personnel Center to work out the details of her new assignment very quickly. 

"We wanted to help her realize her dream if we could," said Maj. Deborah Jackson, AFPC. "Assignments teams review every officer's situation and do the best for the Air Force and the member. Tops in Blue supports our troops all over the world, so it's a win-win situation for all. Lt. Andrews will return to the career field with a positive attitude and great memories of having served as a Tops in Blue representative." 

"Tops in Blue tour director is a great opportunity for a junior officer to lead and for a talented performer like Lt. Andrews to represent the 609th ACOMS, Team Shaw and the U.S. Air Force," said Col. Marty Edmonds, 609th ACOMS commander. 

Lt. Andrews departs next week for her year-long tour with the team. She will play a big part in putting all the shows together from start to finish. 

"I am going to learn so much about getting a mission accomplished efficiently," she said. "I will be with the team 24 hours a day, so it will really help me strengthen my leadership skills." 

For those who are interested in following a similar career path, Lt. Andrews offers some tips. 

"Work at perfecting your craft," she said. "There are a lot of talented people out there. Those who make Tops in Blue work hard, are well prepared and well-rounded."