Remember the time

Staff Sgt. Tyron Jones from Yokota Air Base, Japan, thrills the audience while impersonating Michael Jackson during his specialty performance at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 15, 2012. Jones won best in show for the competition, which took place Jan. 9-16. The annual competition helps select members for the expeditionary entertainment group,Tops in Blue. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Got talent

Senior Airman Joleen Dedmon, from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., sings "I Wanna Love You Forever" during her vocal performance at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 14, 2012. Dedmon won first place for female vocalists during the competition, which was held Jan. 9-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Fire man

Senior Airman Joseph Hardeman sings "Set Fire to the Rain" during his vocal performance at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 13, 2012. Hardeman, who is from Cannon Air Force Base, Ariz., won first place for male vocalists during the competition, which was held Jan. 9-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Unforgettable

First Lt. Ashley Elmore sings "Forget You" during her self-accompanied performance with a ukele at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 14, 2012. Elmore, who is from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., won first place for self-accompanied vocalists during the competition, which was held Jan. 9-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Monster performance

Senior Airman Kyle Willis rocks the bass to "Frankenstein" during his instrumental performance at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 15, 2012. Willis, who is from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., won first place for instrumentalists during the competition, which took place Jan. 9-16. The annual competition helps select members for the expeditionary entertainment group,Tops in Blue. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Getting weird

First Lt. Sarah Ruzzin transforms from a lyrical dancer to a 'nerdy' dancer during her dance performance at the 2012 Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 15, 2012. Ruzzin, who is from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., won first place for dance during the competition, which took place Jan. 9-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Burch)

Airmen win honors at worldwide talent search

Published Feb. 1, 2012
By Erin Tindell
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Air Force entertainment officials selected the top 12 entertainers from 90 Airmen who participated in the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search here Jan. 9-16.

Besides being the best of the best in their respective categories, the competition allows Airmen to compete for spots on the Tops in Blue team, the Air Force's premier entertainment group.

During the competition, Airmen showcased their singing, instrumental, dance and specialty talents as well as their technical skills in stage production. This year's winners were a mix of officers and senior and junior enlisted Airmen.

"The diverse group of Airmen truly wants to be part of the upcoming Tops in Blue tour, serving as ambassadors for the Air Force and the U.S. by bringing a touch of home to military members and their families around the world," said Jeri White, Tops in Blue production coordinator.

The Air Force's top talents were chosen after a week of auditions, rehearsals and interviews, which culminated in three nights of competition in front of an audience. The best performer took home the "Roger" award for first place and the second place winner received the "Wilco" award.

With a Michael Jackson dance impersonation that brought the audience to their feet, Staff Sgt. Tyron Jones from Yokota Air Base, Japan, was named best in show for the competition.

Other winners from this year's worldwide talent search were:

Female Vocalist: First place went to Senior Airman Joleen Dedmon from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., for "I Wanna Love You Forever." Senior Airman Joanell Jackson from Fort Polk, La., took second place for "One Night Only."

Male Vocalist: First place went to Airman 1st Class Joseph Hardeman from Cannon AFB, N.M., for "Set Fire to the Rain." Master Sgt. Matthew Lemieux from Ramstein AB, Germany, took second place for "I Wanna Know What Love Is."

Vocalist Self-Accompanied: First place went to 1st Lt. Ashley Elmore from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., for "Forget You" with an ukulele. Airman 1st Class Timothy Sentz from Scott AFB, Ill., took second place for "Why Don't We Just Dance" with an acoustic guitar.

Instrumentalist: First place went to Senior Airman Kyle Willis from Whiteman AFB, Mo., for "Frankenstein" on the bass guitar. Staff Sgt. Joshua Tarrant from Buckley AFB, Colo., took second place for "Moby Dick" on the drums.

Specialty: First place went to Jones for the Michael Jackson impersonation. Airman 1st Class Jason Flores from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., took second place for a magic act.

Dance: First place went to 1st Lt. Sarah Ruzzin from Eglin AFB, Fla., for choreography to "Beautiful" and "White and Nerdy." Airman 1st Class Briana Hofreiter from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam took second place for choreography to "Addicted to Love."

Technical: First place went to Master Sgt. Kristopher Kobernus from Ramstein AB, while Tech. Sgt. Michael Menges from Eglin AFB took second place.

The winners of the worldwide talent contest were announced at an awards banquet here Jan. 16. Airmen selected for the 2012 Tops in Blue tour will be announced by Feb. 10. The cast will report for two months of staging before the tour starts in late May.

For a schedule of Tops in Blue performances or more information, visit www.topsinblue.com. Follow Tops in Blue at www.twitter.com/aftopsinblue, the Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/topsinblue or read blog entries at http://tib.dodlive.mil.