944th FW Airman selected for Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Macario Mora
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  She waited anxiously as the selection to the Tops in Blue team announcement neared. Senior Airman Joleen Dedmon, 944th Medical Squadron dental assistant, placed first in the female vocalist category at the Air Force Worldwide Talent Search Jan. 9 through 12 in San Antonio, but her invite to the Air Force's premier entertainment group was anything but certain.

"They told contestants that if you hadn't heard anything by Feb. 1 then you did not make the team this year," Dedmon said. "I was getting more and more nervous, [but] with only two days left [they] called me on my cell phone to let me know I had been selected."

The phone call was a long time coming. The 28-year old from Canton, Ohio, auditioned for the team in 2005, but fell short. Dedmon separated from the Air Force shortly
thereafter to pursue a bachelor's degree from Park University. However, she enlisted again in April 2011 with more than just a desire to serve her country -- she had unfinished business.

"I separated in 2007 from active duty and was always upset that I never had another chance to try out," Dedmon said. "When I finally made the decision to come back in, it wasn't even a question. I knew I would try to audition for the team again."

So, the reservist, who works at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson between drills, was understandably excited when she found out she would tour with TIB for a year -- traversing the globe to perform for other Airmen.

"I was so excited that I made the team I was jumping around my desk ... and my boss's desk," Dedmon exclaimed. "People had been asking me for two weeks if I made the tour, and I kept telling them 'trust me, if I get selected everyone will know.' True to my word, after I finished with [my] touchdown dance, I made an announcement to the entire office via the PA system ...that I will be touring with the TIB 2012 team."

Her selection didn't come as much of a surprise to her squadron.

"I am always amazed by our reservists and the many talents they bring to the table," said Col. Judith Patton, 944th MDS commander. "I think it is one of the things that makes us so strong as a force. I am very happy for Airman Dedmon and know that she will represent the squadron well."

Dedmon is no stranger to performing. Her mother told her she's been singing from the moment she first spoke, and Dedmon has been displaying her talent to the public every since joining a children's choir at age 4. Her extensive performance background has helped her hone her skills, which has culminated with a spot with TIB.

"I've performed the [national] anthem nearly 100 times at Davis-Monthan AFB and twice at Arizona Diamondbacks games," Dedmon said. "I've been a state finalist the past three years at the Texaco Country Showdown, and I've opened up for the Tucson Country Music Festival and for country music artist Justin Moore."

The singer, who fronts the Tucson-based variety band Grind, hasn't deployed since 2005 and is excited to "provide morale to deployed members and Airmen in overseas locations." She's preparing for a March departure to San Antonio where she and other selectees will train for approximately two months, before embarking on a 10-month world tour. Dedmon said she hopes the roughly yearlong commitment will bring her more experience and polish her skills as a musician.

"Anyone can do music if they want, but the more I have to bring to the table the more opportunities will present themselves to me," she explained. "I certainly hope I continue music after the TIB tour, but right now I just can't wait to get to training and start entertaining."