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Showcase of AF Talent

By Valerie Mullett, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office / Published September 11, 2006

Airman 1st Class Naomi Keen belts out a solo while Walt Czepiga takes a few photos.(U.S Air Force Photo/Valerie Mullet)
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Airman 1st Class Naomi Keen belts out a solo while Walt Czepiga takes a few photos.(U.S Air Force Photo/Valerie Mullet)

Senior Airman Danielle Hughes sings the opening solo at the Tops in Blue performance Sunday at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. Tops in Blue was the final entertainment for the 2006 Montana State Fair. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullet)
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Senior Airman Danielle Hughes sings the opening solo at the Tops in Blue performance Sunday at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. Tops in Blue was the final entertainment for the 2006 Montana State Fair. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullet)

First Lt. Carolynn Czepiga and Airman 1st Class Bryce Zabric dance during the opening set of the Tops in Blue Show. (U.S Air Force Photo/Valerie Mullet)
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First Lt. Carolynn Czepiga and Airman 1st Class Bryce Zabric dance during the opening set of the Tops in Blue Show. (U.S Air Force Photo/Valerie Mullet)

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- I told them at the last show all that was missing was the popcorn," she said laughingly as she held up a container of the requested snack. "I guess they must have listened to me." 

Those were the sentiments of one very proud parent in the audience at the Tops in Blue performance Sunday. Walt and Barbara Czepiga traveled from Lawrenceville, N.J., to see their daughter, 1st Lt. Carolynn Czepiga, on stage at the base of Mount Rushmore Aug. 1 and were so impressed with the show, they decided to come to Montana to see it again. 

"I could watch this show every day, it's that good," Mrs. Czepiga said before the show started. Anyone at the concert Sunday most likely would agree. 

After harmonizing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem then making a quick costume change while 341st Space Wing Commander Col. Sandy Finan gave the opening remarks and welcome, the cast was ready to entertain. 

They burst onto stage like a ball of fire exploding with song and dance that cycled through one ballad to another combining a mix of old and new songs that appealed to all ages. 

"What's Love?", their theme for this year, became even more pronounced as "pop-up" performers took turns placing themselves among the audience to reel off a quick solo they sang to those who were near. 

While the pop-ups entertained, other members slipped back stage to change costumes and be in place for the next segment of the non-stop show. 

"They aren't scheduled to be in New Jersey until November and I just couldn't wait that long to see my daughter perform," Mrs. Czepiga said. 

Between now and then, the Tops in Blue troupe will continue touring the west through the remainder of August before taking their tour to Europe in September. 

October finds them touring the East Coast for a two month stint before finishing up their year-long tour with trips to Hawaii, Korea and Japan.
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