Aircraft mechanic selected to 2010 Tops in Blue team

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was recently selected to become a member of the 2010 Tops in Blue team.

Senior Airman Christopher Cacopardo, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was notified of his selection as a trumpet player for Tops in Blue, April 28, after he auditioned for the position via Skype the day before.

"I've been trying out for musical groups since I joined the Air Force in 2005," Airman Cacopardo said. "I actually joined the Air Force to be in the band but it didn't work out. I got an email one day from my my boss [Capt. Jhames Illanez] and he said they needed trumpet players. I sent the Tops in Blue representatives and email and they said I can audition within the week. So I auditioned."

Airman Cacopardo woke up to a phone call at 1 a.m. from the Tops in Blue production manager that Wednesday morning welcoming him to the team. He said at first he thought it was a joke.

"I really thought someone was prank-calling me saying I made it," he said. "It didn't hit me until I was in a meeting with my commander later that morning and he was signing my release papers."

Shortly after receiving that phone call, he got an email with all the information and checklists he needed to join the team. The only catch was that he had to have everything done by Friday, April 30, so he could be on a plane the following Sunday.

"We're all extremely proud and excited for Airman Cacopardo's opportunity to join the Air Force's Expeditionary Entertainers," said Lt. Col. Michael Merritt, 18th AMXS commander. "To be selected to join this elite 35-member team that travels worldwide representing both the United States Air Force and the United States of America is quite an honor."

Airman Cacopardo began his music education in the 5th grade before being introduced to the trumpet. According to him, he saw a 6th grader playing the horn and immediately wanted to know what it was and how to play it. Once he got a hold of it, he liked it, and has been playing ever since; using jazz as a big part of his education.

"Music pretty much is my life," he said. "If I ever have anything going on with me or if I'm stressed out about something, I'll turn on Miles Davis and his music relieves my stress. I'm hoping people will open up to the Jazz world like I did. It's not really out there anymore and it's kind of sad so I hope to bring it back."

As a member of Tops in Blue, Airman Cacopardo and other active-duty Air Force members on permissive temporary duty will serve as an expeditionary entertainment unit providing quality entertainment to Air Force members and their families stationed worldwide at remote and deployed locations. According to the official Tops in Blue website, the team will also promote community relations, support recruiting efforts and serve as ambassadors for the United States of America and the United States Air Force while traveling the world.

"That's the main reason why I joined the Air Force - is to see the world; I'm curious as to what's out there," Airman Cacopardo said. "I'm pretty excited to be an Ambassador for the Air Force and show people in other countries our style of music. Music is the ultimate language. We may not be able to speak in different tongues but we can use music to communicate."

Airman Cacopardo said he's more than ready to take on the long hours and the constant touring the unit will be engaged in since he experienced it in high school.

"I was born ready for the long hours and wardrobe changes that I'll experience with Tops in Blue, [but] anything involving music, I'm willing to do," he said.

Airman Cacopardo left for Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where the Tops in Blues team is headquartered, Monday, to begin his training. From there, he'll start pursuing his dream - touring and entertaining throughout the world beginning June 5. His advice for someone who is considering auditioning for the next Tops in Blue team, don't doubt yourself.

"I doubted myself and I made it," he said. "So don't doubt your abilities; if you think for one second that you have a chance, try out. You won't know unless you try."