LACKLAND AFB, TX - After a year following the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), Air Force Tops in Blue has seen a 500% increase in the amount of tryouts.

Tops in Blue, billed as "the Air Force's Premier Entertainment Showcase," is a group of amateur and active duty entertainers who travel the world entertaining troops in-theater and at Air Force Balls, military conferences, and RV shows. The music ensemble continues to delight many rent-a-crowds looking for Branson-style entertainment, full of over-the-top theatrics and shiny sequins along with the best covers of the music hits of today and yesterday.

"We have seen a tremendous increase in the interest in our program," said Master Sergeant Stephen Rodriguez, Tops in Blue program manager. "We have had so much interest lately that for the first time in our 60 year history we have actually had legitimate tryouts."

"For many years we had 'open' auditions," Rodriguez said, "and we would only have 3 or 4 people trying to fill 6 spots. This year we have had 26 people, all guys, auditioning. And the candidates are much more eager to push boundaries and bring more style to their tryouts."