Mildenhall Airman chosen as sole guitarist for Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  David Leatherwood's passion for music is obvious the moment you meet him.

When he's not working his day job as a special cargo handler, the senior airman practices playing his electric guitar five to seven hours per day. He's also a singer-songwriter, plays the violin, piano and bass guitar, and performs karaoke three times a week, both at the Galaxy Club here and Liberty Club at RAF Lakenheath.

Oh, and he's just been signed up with Tops in Blue - as the only guitarist in the group.

Originally from Baltimore, Md., the 24-year-old - who goes by 'Davey' - has been stationed at the 727th Air Mobility Squadron, RAF Mildenhall for just over a year and has been in the Air Force four years.

His "baby," as he calls it, is an Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar, which he's customized. His pick of choice is a 3 millimeter jazz mini stubby.

Usually, those applying to Tops in Blue must send an application and DVD of themselves to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Then, it takes a while before they hear whether or not they have an interview.

For this musician, however, it wasn't quite like that - in fact, things went pretty fast.
"From doing all the karaoke at the Liberty Club, I got to know a lady named Marti Agan, who we all lovingly call 'Mama' because she's a very motherly figure and like my mom-away-from-home," Airman Leatherwood said. "Her husband is Chief (Master Sgt. Brian) Agan, and he got an e-mail at the end of January saying that Tops in Blue were still looking for a guitarist."

The 488th Intelligence Squadron's senior NCO explained how he realized he'd found the man for the job.

"I knew he was a good singer and guitar player, and that he wants to pursue a music career when he gets out of the Air Force," Chief Agan said.

"When I got the word that Tops in Blue was looking for a guitarist, I immediately thought of him and encouraged ... twisted his arm to apply. I know that with his musical ability, personality and stage presence, he'll be a great representative for the Air Force," Chief Agan said.

Airman Leatherwood e-mailed his application and was immediately asked by the Tops in Blue directors to put a DVD together showing him performing.
"There was no way I would be able to put together a video in one day, so I gave them a link to my MySpace page where I have my music. I don't even know if they looked at it, but they called me on the Thursday of that week (Jan. 31) and told me they wanted me to come and audition for them at Lackland the following Monday."

The guitarist felt like the luckiest guy in the world, as he had 100-percent support from his coworkers, supervisor and commander.

Davey immediately got his stuff together, went to Lackland and had his interview, performing in front of three directors.

"They had my application in front of them and told me, 'We see you sing too,'" he said.
"I told them that yes, I was a singer-songwriter, and I would be singing (if accepted). They kind of gave me a cross look, but I told them they had a choice - 'You can either put the microphone in front of me, or you can put it three feet in front of me. Either way, I'm singing! I can't sit there and not sing.'

"That made them laugh," he said, "but I was being serious."

Even though the 727th AMS Airman said he was jet-lagged beyond belief, heplayed guitar and sang for the vocal director.

As soon as he left the interview, the young Airman went to stay with his best friend, Andy Yake, who he'd previously been stationed with in Korea. While at Osan Air Base, they'd started a band.

"To become a professional musician had always been a dream for me, but I was on the verge of giving it up when I got to (South) Korea," he said. "Andy saved my dream for me, and I thought it was extremely fitting that I got the good news while I was at his house."

The young performer said he was interviewed on Tuesday, and two days later, he got a call from one of the directors.

"When they called, it kind of scared me - instead of saying, 'Congratulations!' the director said, 'I wanted to call and inform you ...'."

Airman Leatherwood prepared himself for the worst. With a dramatic pause for effect, the director continued, "The spot is yours if you want it."

He accepted immediately, and although the senior airman is thrilled to be in Tops in Blue, he's still a little sad about leaving England behind.

"I had mixed feelings about it. I have so many friends here, and I love being at Mildenhall and in England, but at the same time it's one of those things you can't pass up. For me trying to become a professional musician when I get out of the Air Force, there's the possibility of all the different music industry connections that I could make, and how much better I'll get - I just couldn't pass it up."

His parents said they couldn't be prouder of their son's acceptance into Tops in Blue.
"David has always loved music, and it's very exciting to know that he'll have the opportunity to perform at a professional level with a group as prestigious as Tops in Blue," said Susan Leatherwood, the young guitarist's mom, in an e-mail. "Seeing him perform on stage, in a first-rate musical production, will be an evening his entire family will cherish for years to come."

Luckily for him, Davey said he'll get to see his family when he's touring. In previous years, the group's tour has included Dover Air Force Base, Del., and Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and his parents will be going to both performances to see their son.

The musician said he's happy to have the chance to do what he loves, while staying in the military.

"I think it makes everybody look good, from me, to my supervisors, to my commander and my (major command) commander. It keeps me in the Air Force, rather than trying to separate - so it's a win-win situation," he said. "I'm still in the Air Force, and I'm playing music, so half of my dream so far has come true!"