Missileer picked up by Tops in Blue for '07

  • Published
  • By Airman Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A violinist of 16 years and vocalist of three years, Capt. Alexander Ruiz, 10th Missile Squadron, has been selected to perform with and serve as tour director for Tops in Blue's 2007 tour.

Tops in Blue serves as an expeditionary entertainment unit to provide quality entertainment from within Air Force resources for the Air Force family, with priority to Air Force personnel stationed worldwide at remote and deployed locations while simultaneously promoting community relations, supporting recruiting efforts and serving as ambassadors for the United States of America and the United States Air Force, according to the Web site TopsInBlue.com.

Captain Ruiz has played many local venues while he has been stationed at Malmstrom, and he has made an impression on a lot of the local establishments, said Lt. Col. Scott Edwards, 10th Missile Squadron commander. Members of Tops in Blue came to Malmstrom to watch him perform and Captain Ruiz got the opportunity to showcase his talents to the whole base at the Air Force Ball.

"I got involved because a Tops in Blue member approached me while I was playing at J Bar T and said I should try out," said Captain Ruiz. "I didn't think much of it, but they pushed the idea at the Air Force Ball. So they brought me down on a TDY to Texas to try out."

Airmen stationed all over the world came to try out and the panel selected a team based on an American Idol-style talent contest.

"There were so many facets of the audition," Captain Ruiz said. "There was a panel of musicians and there were various phases of the audition where you had to sing in front of these guys regardless of your intentions. I even had to learn an eight count dance routine! The judges were very critical and got in your face and told you exactly what they wanted from you."

"The 10-day audition concluded in a big show with about 1,000 people watching the competition," said Captain Ruiz. "Everyone had to arrange and perform a piece of the judge's choosing. They chose a jazz piece for me, Sweet Georgia Brown, and got it together with their pit band. Then they surprised me and I found out I had to sing, so I had to track down the lyrics and prepare that as well."

As far as the competitors themselves, 63 of the Air Force's finest came to compete.
"Every one of these kids from all over was fantastic," Captain Ruiz said. "Anyone would have had a healthy fear of these guys. A lot of them had formal training and worked very hard. I watched a lot to see what other people were doing with their pieces. I also had some input from former Tops in Blue members. I did really well over all. I ended up taking first place for self-accompanied musician and best in show for the entire competition. I was not expecting that!"

"So they offered me a job. I guess they decided I was going in the right direction for what they were looking for in the show," the captain said. "I'm a member of the band and they also decided I should be the tour director."

Captain Ruiz is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that will arise in his involvement in Tops in Blue.

"I think this will be a really successful venture, especially amidst the unknowns and surprises," Captain Ruiz said.

He will begin his one-year special duty assignment in January.