Wells Fargo hosted the biggest party in Atlanta early Friday morning, January 20, 2012, in celebration of the release of the movie Red Tails. It was “Tom Joyner Morning Show’s” infamous Sky Show, a live party and concert that kicked off at 6 a.m. for listeners and longtime fans of the Fly Jock, and his crew: J. Anthony Brown, Sybil Wilkes and Huggy LowDown. Fans arrived as early as 6 p.m. on Thursday afternoon to stand in line. The gang was completely decked out in their Tuskegee Airmen-ish apparel, leather bomber jackets, aviation goggles, badges of honor and all. And Joyner, who had hip surgery six weeks ago, was sporting a blinged-out cane.
Estelle kicked off the show with her radio hit, the Akon-penned “Thank You.” Between the comedians Dominique and Chris Paul’s routines, Ashanti and SWV performed their smash singles, “Foolish” and “Weak,” respectively, before a standing-room only auditorium. The live broadcast was filled with surprises and monetary rewards — leather bomber jackets with Red Tails engraved on them and $100 bills for the fans who were brave enough to volunteer. Audience members enjoyed their 15-minutes of fame when they were invited onstage to participate in the “Wobble,” the “Brick House” parade, the old-school dance contest, and under the sheets, where a pair of married couples swapped outfits with their significant others for cash prizes.
TI and Tiny, “Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Phaedra Parks, and gospel singer Ann Nesby paid a visit.
Wells Fargo & Company is the official financial institution partner for Red Tails. Leonard Walker, Wells Fargo’s business banking division manager and senior vice president, shared, “Wells Fargo was fortunate that two of these outstanding veterans joined our ranks as Wells Fargo bankers following their distinguished military careers. Those American heroes included two men, who after their service to our country became Wells Fargo team members and personal bankers, continuing their career after the war. [They were] personal bankers at a time when personal bankers were credit officers … Colonel George Roberts and Lt. Colonel James Walker.”
Joyner noted that his nickname, The Fly Jock, has taken on new meaning with the release of this film and the ancillary events to celebrate our very own war heroes who were “too good to be forgotten.”
Red Tails is must-see film based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first all-black aerial combat unit. Star Wars czar George Lucas financed and produced the film. –yvette caslin
