A Message from the Command On behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Sergeant Major of the Army, and the United States Army Installation Management Command, it is our privilege and pleasure to welcome you to the 2014 U.S. Army Soldier Show. CSM Jeffrey Hartless and I thank you for attending. There is nothing on this earth that is stronger than the U.S. Army. This year’s production, “STAND STRONG,” commemorates the indomitable strength, character and resiliency of our Soldiers. Through uplifting stories, our cast and crew will demonstrate the core values that make us who we are – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. These values, instilled in every Soldier, forge a resilient strength that can only be described as Army Strong. We are honored to share this experience with you, and are confident that the show will leave you uplifted, inspired and ready to stand “Shoulder to Shoulder” with the men and women of the U.S. Army. This year we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the modern-day Soldier Show, which began in 1984. The motto, mission and philosophy of the show – “Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier” – were established during World War I by Sgt. Israel Berlin, a Russian immigrant better known as Irving Berlin. He conceived and directed the first Army Soldier Show which appeared on Broadway in 1918. The Soldiers who make up the 2014 cast and crew of the U.S. Army Soldier Show carry on the proud Army Entertainment tradition of performing “for the Soldier, by the Soldier.” The Soldier Show cast and crew will perform more than sixty shows throughout the continental United States in the next six months. These Soldiers often work 14-hour days during the tour while maintaining their military proficiencies. They are also responsible for the transportation, loading and unloading, set-up, recovery and maintenance of more than 60,000 pounds of equipment required for the production. At the conclusion of the tour, the cast and crew will return to their units and continue to work in their respective military occupational specialties. CSM Hartless and I, thank you, our audience, for your continued support, encouragement to our Soldiers, and for taking care of those who make up our Army communities. Most importantly, we join this outstanding group of Soldiers in dedicating the 2014 U.S. Army Soldier Show to all service members, both past and present. This year’s production, “STAND STRONG” serves as a reminder that the strength of our Nation is our Army; the strength of our Army is our Soldiers; the strength of our Soldiers is our Families; and that is what makes our Army Strong.
Jeffrey Hartless Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Installation Management Command
David Halverson Lieutenant General, U.S. Army Commanding General
The 2014 U.S. Army Soldier Show starring
The Talented Soldiers of the U.S. Army
ARTISTIC A ND P R O D UCTION T E A M Artistic Director Victor Hurtado
Music Director Joey Beebe
Technical Director Steve Smith
Set and Visuals Designer Nicole Coppinger
Choreographer Amy Lynn Miles
Lighting Designer Paul Turner
Video Designer Amy Kosby
Sound Designer Blair Ferrier
Costume Designer Raul McGinnes
Orchestrator Dave Ylvisaker
Choral Master Vicki Golding
Studio Drums Andy Hambuger
Photography/Designer Eduardo Alejandro
Marketing Coordinator Amy Leon
Executive Producer Tim Higdon
SOLDIER STA FF PRODUC TIO N A ND T O U R I N G T E A M NCOIC SFC Frederick McDuffy
ADVON SFC Michael Carter
Transportation NCOIC SSG Jose Esquivel
Production Stage Manager SGT Quentin Dorn
Production Technical Director SSG David Marshall
Vocal Coach Wardrobe Supervisor SPC Janeen Phelps
Multimedia Specialist SGT Jeffery Lopez
FOH Audio Engineer SSG Kent Smith III
Dramaturge SGT Drake DeLucca
Set Construction SGT Erik Tue
Recruiting SGT Tiffany Hunter
Transportation SPC Donald Hampton
Transportation SGT Marco Torres
Transportation SGT Kenneth Haddock
Transportation SPC Kourtnei Hollins
Transportation SPC David Sidwell
SGT KEITH L. BEVERLY
Trim - 8.75"
Bleed - 9.00"
While performing in middle school choir at 14, Beverly and his twin sister, Kia, were discovered by recruiters for the Booker T. Washington magnet school in their hometown of Tulsa, OK. Beverly became a star not only on the stage, but also on the football field. However, his true passion was evident when he chose to skip practice for a chance to audition for American Idol. Although he didn’t get on national TV, he says the experience was totally worth the choice words he got from his coach. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State University, Beverly joined the Army to serve his country and see the world. He went to Air Assault School and became a Master Fitness Trainer, but he never stopped singing. Beverly was a top Operation Rising Star competitor at Fort Polk last year and is excited about performing in this year’s Soldier Show.
SSG LYNETTE YVONNE COLLIER Performer Army Occupation: 42A Human Resources Specialist Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC Hometown: McDonough, GA . Collier is an accomplished vocalist whose military resume began in 1986 when she joined the Army shortly after graduating from Perry Traditional Academy — a magnet school in Pittsburgh, PA. After four years of active duty, she joined the Reserves and was activated at different times throughout the 1990s. In 2000, Collier returned to civilian life, but by 2006 she decided it was time to re-enlist in the active Guard. In 2009, she deployed to Afghanistan and has remained on active duty ever since. Collier wants to give back to the military. When she lived in Georgia, she was chosen to be a praise and worship leader at her church and she brings those skills with her to the Soldier Show. Collier is also working toward a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Grantham University. She considers herself a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoys scrapbooking and baking in her free time.
Live - 8.25"
Performer Army Occupation: 91D Power Generator Mechanic Duty Station: Fort Polk, LA Hometown: Tulsa, OK
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SPC DARWIN T. CROOKS Performer Army Occupation: 42A Human Resources Specialist Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC Hometown: “Wherever the Army sent us” Crooks was a military child who grew up changing duty stations every three years. A constant in his life was his love of performing. Crooks taught himself how to dance by watching hours of MTV and carefully studying the chorographical routines of his favorite artists. He especially impressed friends and family with his ability to mimic Missy Elliot’s signature moves. While in high school, Crooks participated in the drama program and formed his own dance team. At 18, he followed in the footsteps of his father and joined the Army. Inspiration hit while watching a Soldier Show performance at his first duty station. Crooks knew it was something he wanted to be a part of and he began polishing his skills in order to make the cut. Now that he is part of the tour, Crooks hopes to learn new styles of dance that will help him launch a career as a professional performer.
SPC PATRICK J.T. DALY Technician Army Occupation: 68G Patient Administration Specialist Duty Station: Fort Bliss, TX Hometown: Huntington, WV Daly is a talented musician who can play everything from the accordion to the ukulele. He is especially skilled at playing the piano, acoustic bass and electric guitar. As a teen, he was a guitarist for his church band and did vocals and bass guitar for a poppunk group he put together with his friends. Daly also participated in drama club and a musical production while in high school. After graduation, he joined the Army for a chance to serve his country and grow professionally. Daly served in Iraq in 2011. He applied for the Soldier Show after learning that one of his friends from Basic Combat Training was selected for the 2013 cast and crew. Now that it’s his turn, Daly looks forward to going on tour and being a part of something bigger than himself.
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PFC MELINDA DOUGLAS Performer Army Occupation: 68W Health Care Specialist Duty Station: National Guard Medical Command - Sea Girt, NJ Hometown: Salem, NJ Douglas comes from a musical family. Her parents taught her how to sing and her aunt taught her how to read music and play the piano. In high school, Douglas participated in the chorus, band and drama club. She also grew up listening to her two grandfathers proudly recount stories of their military service. “They are both exceptional men who always had strength and discipline that set them apart from others,” she recalls. Inspired by their example, Douglas joined the National Guard in 2012. She attended a Soldier Show performance for the first time while at AIT. “It relieved some stress, inspired me and took my mind off of being away from home,” she says. Now that she’s a part of this year’s cast, Douglas hopes to do the same for other Soldiers.
SPC TIERRA D. DUCOTE Performer Army Occupation: 92Y Unit Supply Specialist Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC Hometown: Port Arthur, TX Ducote discovered her passion for singing at the age of 11. She played the clarinet in her high school band and sang in the choir. After graduation, Ducote says she joined the Army to serve her country and challenge herself physically and mentally. She went on to serve in Afghanistan. Ducote is also an avid runner who has maintained top physical fitness test scores throughout her military career. The inspiration to audition for the Soldier Show came after seeing it in person in Fayetteville, NC “I absolutely loved everything about it,” she says, “it was a real morale booster!” Now it’s her turn to inspire. “I hope this experience will not only make me a better performer, but also a better Soldier,” she says.
SPC LAUREN T. FELTON Technician Army Occupation: 25Q Multi-Channel Transmission Systems Operator/Maintainer Duty Station: Helemano Military Reservation, HI Hometown: Justin, TX Felton is a fourth-generation Soldier from a proud military family. She joined the Army right after high school to follow in her family’s tradition and to grow up a little more before attending college. Felton’s family also inspired her interest in music. Both her father and grandfather were musicians and they taught her how to build portable stages and set up live gigs. Felton applied for the Soldier Show because she knew it would make them proud. She is also very comfortable working behind the scenes and gets fulfillment from the audience’s positive reaction. “Knowing that I’m a part of that means the world to me,” she says. In her free time, Felton volunteers for Fort Worth Guitars for Heroes, a group that teaches veterans how to play guitar as a form of therapy.
SGT AMY E. HARGIS Performer Army Occupation: 37F Psychological Operations Sergeant Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC Hometown: Dallas, TX Hargis remembers being four years old and begging her church choir director to let her sing in children’s choir. She finally convinced him to let her join and she stuck with it throughout her childhood and teen years. The dedication paid off with numerous awards for her solo and ensemble school performances. Hargis says her parents raised her with a strong sense of patriotism. After graduating from high school in 2007, she joined the Army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hargis continued her love of singing by performing at military events. She auditioned for the Soldier Show after finding out about it from a friend. Since making the cut, Hargis says she looks forward to spending time with other Soldiers who share her passion and jokes that she will finally gain professional experience beyond, “just standing in a choir and trying not to fall off the risers!”
AD SPACE
SPC JEFFREY A. JOHNSON Technician Army Occupation: 12R Electrician Duty Station: Moreno Valley Armory, CA Hometown: Upland, OR Johnson is a self-taught audio engineer who learned the trade by volunteering “anywhere and everywhere” he could. His life-long passion can be traced back to attending concerts as a kid. “I remember sitting near the sound guy and dreaming of how cool it would be if I could do his job,” he says. After graduating from high school in 1994, Johnson found freelance work in San Diego and eventually moved to Los Angeles as better opportunities came his way. One of his most memorable experiences was a USO Show at sea. “The crew was flown out to the ship and we did a hook landing on an aircraft carrier,” he recalls. In 2011, Johnson joined the National Guard. He was excited to find out that the Army could also use his professional expertise as part of the Soldier Show. When not on tour, Johnson likes racing go-karts and watching NASCAR.
SPC ABIGHAIL MARY Performer/Dance Captain Army Occupation: 92Y Unit Supply Specialist Duty Station: Camp Humphreys, Korea Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL In 2001, Mary graduated from North Miami Senior High School in the top 10% of her class and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in public administration with honors from Florida International University. Her credentials led to great opportunities with the University of Miami, the CEO of the Orange Bowl, and the Mayor of Miami. But her true passion was music. At 25, she put her heart into a singing group. After three years, they got in front of producer Simon Cowell and made it to the top eight on the first season of X Factor. She also met major industry players and landed a job with Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Rico Love. But she never got her big break. So in 2013, Mary joined the Army on the advice of her older brother, SPC Luidgi Mary. She auditioned for the Soldier Show as soon as she heard about it — her soulful voice and show biz background were a perfect fit. “I feel like God is giving me another chance with this opportunity,” she says.
USAE RECRUIT
SSG TYRELL L. MAYS Performer Army Occupation: 79R Recruiter Duty Station: Hoover Army Recruiting Station, AL Hometown: Swainsboro, GA Mays realized early on that he had a talent for singing. He performed in the chorus from middle school through 9th grade. As a young adult, he sang in a gospel quartet and tried out for American Idol and America’s Got Talent. In 2001, Mays had a good job assembling air conditioners, but decided he wanted more out of life. He joined the Army Reserve and never looked back. Mays values the team work and opportunities that come with military service. He also enjoys mentoring others. Over the next two years he hopes to complete his bachelor’s degree in business management from Post University and eventually open his own production studio where he can help young people share their musical gifts. In his free time, Mays likes to draw, play sports and sing with his two-year-old son, Tyrell Alexander.
PFC BRYAN MCNEILL Performer Army Occupation: 88M Motor Transport Operator Duty Station: Fort Campbell, KY Hometown: Wilmington, NC By the age of 13, McNeill’s knowledge of music and ability to build rapport with both youth and adults was so impressive that his church choir director let him take over. “I was able to transmit my energy to the people I was directing and improve their overall sound,” he says. In high school, McNeill was in the marching band and won honors in all-state choir as well as state-wide recognition as an outstanding tenor. He is also a practical joker who knows how to work the stage — one time he had the whole school roaring with laughter by performing an outrageous rendition of Prince’s “Kiss.” In 2012, McNeill joined the Army to further his education. He was inspired to audition for the Soldier Show while volunteering to help with the tour’s set-up and break-down at Fort Campbell. “After meeting the phenomenal talent, I knew this was a worthwhile and meaningful opportunity,” he says. McNeill is a proud Air Assault Soldier and plans to pursue Airborne School after the tour.
SHARP
PFC KIARI MHOON Performer Army Occupation: 11B Infantryman Duty Station: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA Hometown: Blytheville, AR Mhoon started performing in church when he was seven years old. He plays the piano and participated in choir and drama club while in high school. He also spent nine years performing silent interpretive dance as part of an international ministry program. Mhoon says he joined the Army in 2012 to protect, provide for and to serve his country and family. He is a dedicated Infantryman, but still wants to pursue music professionally. Mhoon represented Joint Base Lewis-McChord during last year’s Operation Rising Star competition. He also auditioned for the Soldier Show and was thrilled when he found out about making the cut for this year’s tour. Mhoon’s favorite artists are Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Chris Brown and he likes to incorporate some of their moves into his personal dance style.
SPC AURIELLE POLYNICE Performer Army Occupation: 15W Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator Duty Station: Fort Hood, TX Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA Polynice was a military child who always enjoyed being a performer. She studied traditional Polynesian dance and learned how to play to the ukulele while stationed in Hawaii with her parents. In high school she took ballet lessons and sang in the choir. Inspired by the military service of her mother and father, Polynice enlisted in the Army when she was 19. She continued her love of performing during her off-duty time. While deployed to Afghanistan, she volunteered to teach fellow Soldiers a variety of Latin dance moves. While at Presidio of Monterey and Fort Hood, she rose to the top of the local Operation Rising Star competitions. Polynice also has a big heart. She received a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medal for her work with local animal shelters and recycling programs. After representing the Air Cavalry with pride during this year’s show, she hopes to earn a degree in physical education and American Sign Language.
SSG DUANE RENO Performer Army Occupation: 42A Human Resources Specialist Duty Station: Salem, OR Hometown: Salem, OR Reno credits the Salem Boys Choir for developing his foundation as a singer. In high school, he placed first in the bass division of the State Solo-Ensemble competition and competed in both the Oregon All-State Choir and the Oregon All-State Jazz Choir. After a semester of community college, Reno joined the National Guard and continued to pursue music as the part-time worship leader of his church. In 2011, Reno saw a Soldier Show performance at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and knew that’s where he belonged. He auditioned to sing the National Anthem at a Portland Trailblazers game and got the job. A successful audition for this year’s Soldier Show followed after that. Reno shares his love of music with his wife Sarah and their two children, Lilyann, 6, and Maci Jo, 1. “I love to play guitar and worship with my family,” he says, “We sing together all the time!”
SPC COPEY M. RICE Performer Army Occupation: 92G Food Service Specialist Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC Hometown: Valdosta, GA Rice got hooked on the thrill of performing at the age of 13. He learned to play the trumpet and participated in band and theater throughout high school. After graduating, Rice enrolled in college and worked at a theme park, but by the age of 20, he was ready to join the Army. Since Rice is also a passionate cook, his military occupation turned out to be an ideal outlet for his creative mind and an opportunity to share his award-winning mac ‘n’ cheese with others. He is also proud to have deployed to Afghanistan so early in his career. While stationed in Alaska, Rice joined the Dance Theater of Fairbanks and started taking classes in ballet, hip hop and jazz. When he found out about the Soldier Show, Rice jumped at the chance to audition. He’s excited to be a part of what he calls “an amazing experience” and hopes to learn all he can about what it takes to make a production happen.
SPC CHRISTOPHER ROMAN Technician/Social Media Coordinator Army Occupation: 15P Aviation Operations Specialist Duty Station: Fort Drum, NY Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico Roman graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in 2010 and joined the Army shortly afterward to continue his family’s proud military tradition. He consistently maintains top scores on his Army physical fitness tests and started working toward a degree in Business Administration last year while deployed to Afghanistan. Roman is also a self-taught rapper whose unique style landed him a spot in the 2012 Soldier Show. That experience helped him polish his vocals and gave him the confidence to produce his own albums and successfully distribute them online. Roman’s ever-expanding skill set also got him invited back to work with this year’s Soldier Show performers. At the end of the tour, he hopes to launch a career as a professional recording artist. “I want to be the first bilingual rapper whose English rap is as good as his Spanish rap,” says Roman, “If I can pull that off, my music has the potential to be heard throughout the whole western hemisphere!”
SSG HARRISON D. SCURRY Performer Army Occupation: 11B Infantryman Duty Station: Fort Drum, NY Hometown: Waldorf, MD Scurry worked his way through high school as a game technician at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant, but after being promoted to general manager, he decided the place “where a kid can be a kid” just wasn’t for him and he joined the Army instead. From 2005-2006, he served in Iraq with the 1/25th Infantry, then deployed to Iraq again the following year, and then the year after that, deployed to Afghanistan with C Co., 2-22, 10th Mountain Division. After ten years of dedicated Infantry, Scurry saw his alter-ego, B-Boy Pumped Dragon, staring back at him in the mirror. He began pursuing competitive break dancing in his off-duty time, trying out for the Syracuse Wolf Pack break crew in 2012 and then the Soldier Show, where he impressed the audition panel with his originality and highenergy dance moves. Scurry is also a Master Fitness Trainer and a champion cyclist and power lifter. “I live by my battalion motto,” he says, ‘Deeds, not Words’.”
SPC AMANDA SPEAR Performer Army Occupation: 92G Food Service Specialist Duty Station: Layfayette, IN Hometown: Monticello, IN Spear participated in band, drama and show choir throughout her childhood and teen years and won numerous singing competitions in her home state of Indiana. She joined the Indiana National Guard right out of high school in order to further her education and earned her bachelor’s degree from Anderson University in 2013. In Basic Training, her exceptional singing abilities quickly came to the attention of her drill sergeant. Spear recalls the day she got called to the Commander’s office. Unsure why, Spear was relieved to find out that her drill sergeant just wanted her to sing for the Commander and First Sergeant. “When I was finished, they told me that I should definitely consider trying out for the Soldier Show,” says Spear. She eventually took their advice and made the cut for the 2014 cast. Spear looks forward to the opportunity to boost the morale of her brothers and sisters in arms, as well as their families. After the tour, she plans on attending law school.
SPC ENJOLEE WILLIAMS Performer Army Occupation: 15G Aircraft Structural Mechanic Duty Station: Ellington Field – Houston, TX Hometown: New Orleans, LA Williams is an experienced recording artist who has performed at the House of Blues and the 2013 Motown Review in Houston, Texas. She actually wanted to be like her father and join the Armed Forces right after high school. However, Williams’ mother insisted that she go to college first. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston in 2008, Williams got a job teaching geometry at a charter school for at-risk youth. She joined the Texas National Guard in 2010. In AIT, Williams’ platoon sergeant encouraged her to apply for the 2011 Soldier Show and she made the cut. Five months after the tour, however, she tragically lost her father. Williams is back this year. “The solo that I sing is dear to me because I was close to breaking down after losing my dad,” she says, “So when I sing, it’s coming from the heart.”
Mr. Joe Leavell, Chief, Army Entertainment CPT Jeremy Baggett, OIC MSG Toby Knight, NCOIC Mr. Scott Radosevich, Commercial Entertainment Mr. Johnny Stewart, Operations Mr. Jim McIntyre, Logistics Mr. Kenneth Matthews, Production Ms. Joan Lyles, Administration Ms. Sun Gaskey, Operations Support Mr. Cordell Hall, Operations Support Mr. Ronald Burgwyn, Transportation Mr. Sam Richardson, Transportation
S P EC IA L TH A N KS Army Entertainment would like to say a special “Thank You” to the many wonderful people of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Family and MWR Programs, Joint Base San Antonio, and every garrison we visit, whose efforts on our behalf make the U.S. Army Soldier Show possible each year.
WHERE DO ARMY AND CIVILIAN LIFE COMBINE? THE ARMY RESERVE. The Army Reserve lets you build a civilian life, without losing the advantages the Army has to offer. Active duty Soldiers who transition to the Army Reserve may qualify for a $20,000 bonus. You are also guaranteed deployment deferral for two years. Plus you’re eligible for continued health and financial benefits. And with flexible service options, Army Reserve Soldiers are assets to civilian employers while balancing Army and family life. To learn more, speak to a Reserve Component Career Counselor or visit goarmyreserve.com/ss
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