Specialist uses music as insight into soldiers' world

Performing for soldiers is a passion for Spc. Phil Harris.

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Over the next year, the 24-year-old Fort Gordon soldier will have the opportunity to perform a lot as he travels with the 2007 U.S. Army Soldier Show.

"I'm really happy. Music is something I enjoy," said Harris, who reports to Fort Belvoir, Va., on March 1 to begin rehearsals.

Spc. Harris joined the Army in August 2003. A native of Virginia, he had a friend who was killed at the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. That, combined with a need for college money, prompted him to join the Army.

During a tour of duty in Iraq, Harris performed for his fellow soldiers.

"Me and some of my comrades developed a record label in Iraq," he said.

They built an impromptu studio out of scrap wood and old mattresses and did their best to boost the troops' morale while being so far from home.

He feels he can relate to soldiers in a way that only another soldier can.

"Nobody knows what it feels like to go to Iraq unless you have been there," he said.

Harris, also known as rapper P-Nyce, has recorded several original works, including a rap called I Have a Dream with threads of the Rev. Martin Luther King's famous speech threaded throughout it.

Harris' ultimate musical dream would be to be a recruiter for the military using his music.

"I want to help the Army out because the Army has helped my career," he said.

He said he also would like to relate to others that soldiers are regular people, and many of them are extremely talented in areas ranging from music to sports.

The dates of the U.S. Army Soldier Show have not been released, but the show usually stops at Fort Gordon. Last year, the show was held at Alexander Hall at the end of July.