In the glittering era of swing music and golden-age radio, few personalities stood out quite like Phil Harris. With his slicked-back hair, devil-may-care attitude, and drawling Southern charm, Harris was more than just a bandleader—he was an entertainer in every sense of the word. From big band success to radio stardom alongside comedy legend Jack Benny, and later as one half of one of America’s most beloved showbiz couples with actress Alice Faye, Harris carved out a career that was uniquely his own.
Born Wonga Philip Harris in Linton, Indiana, in 1904 and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Harris’s Southern roots would become a signature part of his persona. He started out as a drummer, eventually forming his own dance band in the 1920s, touring the country and performing in hotel ballrooms and clubs. By the 1930s, he had become a fixture in the Los Angeles music scene, known not only for his musical talents but for his comedic instincts and magnetic stage presence.
It was this combination of charisma and musicality that caught the attention of radio producers. In 1936, Harris joined The Jack Benny Program, one of the most popular radio shows in the country, as the bandleader and comic foil to Benny’s famously stingy, vain persona. The pairing proved electric. Harris’s easygoing swagger and boozy, carefree character became an audience favorite, providing a perfect counterbalance to Benny’s tightly wound neuroses.
On air, Harris played a fictionalized version of himself- fun-loving, slightly dim-witted, and always ready with a wisecrack or a wink to the audience. His comedic timing was impeccable, and his Southern drawl and musical interludes added a fresh, unpredictable energy to every episode. “Hiya, Jackson!” became his trademark greeting to Benny, and fans would repeat his catchphrases across the country. But Harris wasn’t just comic relief for Jack- he was a formidable musical talent whose band gave the show a polished, professional sound, swinging between jazz-infused arrangements and novelty tunes.
In 1941, Harris released what would become his signature hit, “That’s What I Like About the South.” The song, an affectionate and humorous ode to Southern culture, showcased everything that made Harris unique: a lively beat, a catchy tune, and a delivery that oozed charm and confidence. With lyrics listing off everything from fried chicken to turnip greens, the song became a radio sensation and an anthem for listeners below the Mason-Dixon line- and beyond. Harris would continue to perform it for decades, always with a wink and a grin.
Behind the scenes, Harris’s life was just as vibrant. In 1941, he married Alice Faye, the glamorous star of 20th Century Fox musicals such as Hello, Frisco, Hello and Alexander’s Ragtime Band. The pairing of the brassy, blonde screen siren and the wisecracking bandleader quickly became Hollywood royalty. But despite their star power, Harris and Faye chose a quieter life, stepping back from the spotlight in favor of family. They settled into a home life in the San Fernando Valley and raised two daughters, maintaining a reputation as one of the entertainment industry’s most stable couples.
The music of leader/vocalist Phil Harris can be heard on Swing Street Radio.
Craig Roberts writes the “Hot Big Band News” column for Swing Street Radio, and on occasion claims to have been Oscar Levant’s psychologist
