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{{Short description|Music producer (1921–1994)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Si Siman
| name = Si Siman
Line 7: Line 8:
| birth_name = Ely E. Siman Jr.
| birth_name = Ely E. Siman Jr.
| alias = Si Siman
| alias = Si Siman
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1921|01|17}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1921|01|17}}
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Missouri]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|1994|12|16|1921|01|17}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|1994|12|16|1921|01|17}}
| death_place = Springfield, Missouri
| origin =
| origin =
| instrument =
| instrument =
| genre = [[country music]], [[pop music]]
| genre = [[country music]], [[pop music]]
| occupation = music producer, [[talent manager]], broadcasting executive
| occupation = [[Radio producer]]<br>[[Talent manager]]<br>[[Television producer]]<br>[[Music publisher]]
| years_active =
| years_active = 1946 to 1987
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Chet Atkins]]<br>[[Porter Wagoner]]<br>[[Wayne Carson Thompson]]<br>[[Ronnie Self]]
| associated_acts = [[Chet Atkins]]<br>[[Porter Wagoner]]<br>[[Brenda Lee]]<br>[[Wayne Carson Thompson]]<br>[[Ronnie Self]]<br>[[Tennessee Ernie Ford]]<br>[[Smiley Burnette]]
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''Si Siman''' (January 17, 1921 &ndash; December 16, 1994), born '''Ely E. Siman Jr.''', was an [[United States|American]] record producer and [[country music]] executive who helped transform the sound of music in the [[The Ozarks|Ozarks]] after World War II and into the 1970s. He discovered [[Chet Atkins]] and [[Porter Wagoner]], among others; and was a key figure behind ''[[Ozark Jubilee]],'' the first network television series to feature America's top country music stars.
'''Si Siman''' (born '''Ely E. Siman Jr.'''; January 17, 1921 &ndash; December 16, 1994) was an American [[country music]] executive as a radio producer, talent agent, songwriter, record producer, television producer and music publisher who helped transform the sound of music in the [[The Ozarks|Ozarks]] after World War II and into the 1980s. He discovered Country Music Hall of Fame Members [[Chet Atkins]] and [[Porter Wagoner]], and secured record deals for [[The Browns]] and [[Brenda Lee]] among others; and was the key figure behind ''[[Ozark Jubilee]],'' the first network television series to feature America's top country music stars. According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, he was "the driving force in the emergence of Springfield, Missouri, as a country music center in the 1950s."<ref>The Encyclopedia of Country Music, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2012</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Siman was born in [[Springfield, Missouri]] on January 17, 1921, and was a [[batboy]] for the [[Springfield Cardinals#The original Springfield Cardinals|Springfield Cardinals]]. He scored a World Series ring with the [[Gashouse Gang]] (1934) [[St. Louis Cardinals]] as batboy. He spent a summer and half driving legendary scout Charley Barrett who was working for [[Branch Rickey]], the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.<ref>Booher, Kate "'I want People to feel like this is their Team'" (June 5, 2005), ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 8D</ref> He attended Duke University, Berea College and graduated from [[Drury College]] after serving in the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] during [[World War II]].


===Radio producer===
Siman was born in [[Springfield, Missouri]] on January 17, 1921, and was a [[batboy]] for the [[Springfield Cardinals#The original Springfield Cardinals|Springfield Cardinals]].<ref>Booher, Kate "'I want People to feel like this is their Team'" (June 5, 2005), ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 8D</ref> He graduated from [[Drury College]] and served in the US Navy during World War II. He then rejoined [[Ralph D. Foster|Ralph Foster]]'s [[KWTO (AM)|KWTO]], where he had worked as a teenager, and became vice president of Foster's RadiOzark Enterprises, Inc., which produced [[Radio syndication#Radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] radio shows from Springfield hosted by such performers as [[Tennessee Ernie Ford]], [[George Morgan (singer)|George Morgan]], [[Smiley Burnette]] and Bill Ring.<ref>Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' "The Everyday Magazine", p.&nbsp;1</ref>
He returned to Springfield and rejoined [[Ralph D. Foster|Ralph Foster]]'s [[KWTO (AM)|KWTO]], where he had worked as a teenager, and became vice president of Foster's RadiOzark Enterprises, Inc., which produced [[Radio syndication#Radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] radio shows from Springfield hosted by such performers as [[Tennessee Ernie Ford]], [[George Morgan (singer)|George Morgan]], [[Smiley Burnette]] and Bill Ring.<ref>Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' "The Everyday Magazine", p.&nbsp;1</ref>

Siman would produce multiple radio shows, including '''Sermons In Song''', '''Saddle Rockin'Rhythm''' starring Shorty and Sue Thompson, 260 shows starring Tennessee Ernie Ford, and 293 award-winning radio shows featuring Smiley Burnette. He also produced '''The Bill Ring Show''' for General Mills heard on for two years on ABC Radio.


===An ear for talent===
===An ear for talent===
⚫
Siman discovered [[Chet Atkins]] and [[Porter Wagoner]] in the early 1950s. He took a recording of "Canned Heat" by Chet Atkins to Steve Shoals at RCA Victor resulting in a label deal. He was Wagoner's first manager having heard him on a local broadcast from a butcher shop in West Plains, Missouri; produced his first hit, "A Satisfied Mind", in Springfield; and signed him to an [[RCA Victor|RCA Records]] contract in 1951. He told Atkins his given name, Chester, wouldn't make it in country music,<ref name="Sylvester 1999">Sylvester, Ron "100 Ozarkers: 'Si' Siman Impacted Country Music" (October 10, 1999), "Progress," ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 8H</ref> and he helped Atkins and [[The Browns]] land contracts with RCA. He would pitch [[Brenda Lee]] to Paul Cohen at Decca Records and put her on the Ozark Jubilee, Steve Allen Show, the Ed Sullivan Show and the Perry Como show to help launch her career.


===Television producer===
⚫
Siman discovered [[Chet Atkins]] and [[Porter Wagoner]] in the early 1950s. He was Wagoner's first manager; produced his first hit, "A Satisfied Mind", in Springfield; and signed him to an [[RCA Victor|RCA Records]] contract in 1951. He told Atkins his given name, Chester, wouldn't make it in country music,<ref name="Sylvester 1999">Sylvester, Ron "100 Ozarkers: 'Si' Siman Impacted Country Music" (October 10, 1999), "Progress," ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 8H</ref> and he helped Atkins and [[The Browns]] land contracts with RCA. Siman, in partnership with Foster and John B. Mahaffey (Foster's nephew), established the Earl Barton Music, Inc. publishing company. The firm obtained copyrights for national country hits including [[Little Jimmy Dickens]]' smash "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" (1950) and [[Johnny Mullins]]' novelty tune "Company's Comin'" (1954).<ref>Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', "Show", p. 1</ref>
⚫
From 1954-1961, Siman and Mahaffey were managing vice presidents of Foster's Crossroads TV Productions, and co-executive producers of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]]'s ''[[Ozark Jubilee]]'', the first popular country music series on network television. In April, 1954, Siman lured [[Red Foley]] to Springfield to host the program over a bottle of [[Jack Daniel's]] whiskey at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].<ref name="Sylvester 1999"/> Siman also handled booking most of the show's performers.

⚫
From 1954-1961, Siman and Mahaffey were managing vice presidents of Foster's Crossroads TV Productions, and co-executive producers of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]]'s ''Ozark Jubilee'', the first popular country music series on network television. In April, 1954, Siman lured [[Red Foley]] to Springfield to host the program over a bottle of [[Jack Daniel's]] whiskey at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].<ref name="Sylvester 1999"/> Simon also handled booking most of the show's performers.


Siman and Mahaffey were also co-executive producers of the show's [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]], [[NBC]]'s ''[[Five Star Jubilee]]'' (1961); as well as ''[[The Eddy Arnold Show]]'' (1956) and ''[[Talent Varieties]]'' (1955), both ABC.
Siman and Mahaffey were also co-executive producers of the show's [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]], [[NBC]]'s ''[[Five Star Jubilee]]'' (1961); as well as ''[[The Eddy Arnold Show]]'' (1956) and ''[[Talent Varieties]]'' (1955), both ABC.

===Hits in the 1960s===


[[Image:sisimancompanies2.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Siman in Nashville in the 1960s]] In 1963, Foster, Siman and Mahaffey formed Tele-Color, Inc., which in 1964 filmed color segments for ABC's ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' and other programs.
[[Image:sisimancompanies2.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Siman in Nashville in the 1960s]] In 1963, Foster, Siman and Mahaffey formed Tele-Color, Inc., which in 1964 filmed color segments for ABC's ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' and other programs.


===Music publishing===
⚫
Siman's biggest successes came in the late 1960s with songwriter [[Wayne Carson Thompson]], known for "[[The Letter (The Box Tops song)|The Letter]]", "[[Always On My Mind]]" and "Soul Deep" ([[The Box Tops]]); and he helped such local artists as [[Ronnie Self]] and [[Johnny Mullins]] ("[[Blue Kentucky Girl (Emmylou Harris album)|Blue Kentucky Girl]]") chart nationally. From 1967&ndash;1969, he worked with songwriter Bob Millsap at KWTO.
Siman would publish major hit songs from Springfield, Missouri spanning four decades. Especially noteworthy are the standards "[[The Letter (Box Tops song)|The Letter]]" (Two-time Grammy Nominee) (#1 1967) - the song would be covered by artists all around the world but would have the distinction of being a top 20 single in the US three times in a span of four years (’67, ’69 and ’70) with the Boxtops, the Arbors and Joe Cocker, and [[Always on My Mind]]. (Grammy Song of the Year and Grammy Country Song of the Year, Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance, two-time CMA Song of the Year, CMA Single of the Year, Nashville Songwriters Association Song of the Year, ACM Single of the Year, BMI Top 100 Song of the Century, BMI Most Performed Song Award).


1950s: Starting in partnership with Foster and John B. Mahaffey (Foster's nephew), they established the Earl Barton Music, Inc. publishing company. The firm obtained copyrights for national country hits including [[Little Jimmy Dickens]]' smash "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" (1950), "Trademark" with [[Carl Smith (musician)|Carl Smith]] (1953) and [[Johnny Mullins]]' novelty tune "Company's Comin'" (1954).<ref>Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', "Show", p. 1</ref>

⚫
1960s: Siman scored huge success in the late 1960s with songwriter [[Wayne Carson Thompson]], besides "[[The Letter (Box Tops song)|The Letter]]", "[[Always On My Mind]]", he published "[[Soul Deep (Box Tops song)|Soul Deep]]" ([[The Box Tops]]); "[[Neon Rainbow]]" (The Box Tops), "No Love At All" [[B.J. Thomas]], "Do It Again A Little Bit Slower" [[Jon and Robin]], and "[[Somebody Like Me (Eddy Arnold song)|Somebody Like Me]]" [[Eddy Arnold]]. He helped such local artists as [[Ronnie Self]] and [[Johnny Mullins]] ("[[Blue Kentucky Girl (Emmylou Harris album)|Blue Kentucky Girl]]") chart nationally.

1970s: Siman and Carson would gather a string of hits with country music legend [[Gary Stewart (singer)|Gary Stewart]]. Working closely with [[Roy Dea]] at RCA Records, Stewart would score his only career #1 single with the song [[She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)]]. Other titles were "Drinkin' Thing", "I See The Want To In Your Eyes", "Oh,Sweet Temptation", "Ten Years of This" and "Whiskey Trip". Other #1 singles in the 1970s included "I See the Want to in Your Eyes" with [[Conway Twitty]] and [[Rocky (song)]] by Dickie Lee (also a top 10 pop hit with [[Austin Roberts (singer)|Austin Roberts]]. Top 5 hits included [[Always on My Mind]] by [[Elvis Presley]].
⚫
In the late 1970s Siman advised [[Tim Nichols]], who later co-wrote [[Tim McGraw]]'s smash hit "[[Live Like You Were Dying]]", and in 1980 urged him to move from Springfield to Nashville.<ref>Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 1C</ref>
In the late 1970s Siman advised [[Tim Nichols]], who later co-wrote [[Tim McGraw]]'s smash hit "[[Live Like You Were Dying]]", and in 1980 urged him to move from Springfield to Nashville.<ref>Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), ''Springfield News-Leader'', p. 1C</ref>


1980s: Siman would publish three #1 singles in the 1980s before his retirement including [[The Clown (Conway Twitty song)]] by "Conway Twitty" and cover versions of [[Always on My Mind]] by [[Willie Nelson]] and [[the Pet Shop Boys]].
⚫
===Later years===


⚫
===Later years===
In 1970, Siman established the Red Foley Memorial Music Award at [[Berea College]]. The annual award is presented to students there in recognition of their musical contributions to the campus.[[Image:Si Siman Label.jpg|thumb|right|110px|Silver anniversary envelope label]]
In 1970, Siman established the Red Foley Memorial Music Award at [[Berea College]]. The annual award is presented to students there in recognition of their musical contributions to the campus.[[Image:Si Siman Label.jpg|thumb|right|110px|Silver anniversary envelope label]]


He was active with the [[Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine|Shriners]] and was appointed chief aide in 1980.
He was active with the [[Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine|Shriners]] and was appointed chief aide in 1980. He promoted a show for the Shriners at the Superdome in New Orleans featuring George Strait as the headliner.


When he retired in 1987, Siman sold Earl Barton Music and the rights to a catalog of nearly 2,000 songs to Rolf Budde Musikverlage of Germany.<ref>Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]], p. 59</ref> In 1991, he donated his papers to the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]]. In January 1994, Siman helped found Ozarks Pictures Corp. to produce family films. Its first feature was 1995's ''A Place to Grow,'' shot in southwest Missouri and starring [[Gary Morris]], [[Wilford Brimley]] and [[Boxcar Willie]].<ref>Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'', p. J4</ref>
When he retired in 1987, Siman sold Earl Barton Music and the rights to a catalog of nearly 2,000 songs to Rolf Budde Musikverlage of Germany.<ref>Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', p. 59</ref> In 1991, he donated his papers to the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]]. In January 1994, Siman helped found Ozarks Pictures Corp. to produce family films. Its first feature was 1995's ''A Place to Grow,'' shot in southwest Missouri and starring [[Gary Morris]], [[Wilford Brimley]] and [[Boxcar Willie]].<ref>Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'', p. J4</ref>


Siman died of cancer in Springfield on December 16, 1994.
Siman died of cancer in Springfield on December 16, 1994.


===Family===
===Family===
His son, [[Scott Siman]], is an entertainment executive in Nashville who manages and oversees the multi-faceted career of superstar [[Tim McGraw]], as well as managing numerous other country music artists and publishing multiple #1 country songs such as "Make You Miss Me" by Sam Hunt, "Break Up With Him" by Old Dominion, "Save it For a Rainy Day" by Kenny Chesney and "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett.
⚫
His son, [[Scott Siman]], is an entertainment executive in Nashville who has managed country music singers [[Tim McGraw]], [[Julianne Hough]] and many others.


==Posthumous recognition==
==Posthumous recognition==
*A scholarship for students pursuing music business studies was established in Siman's name at [[Middle Tennessee State University]].
*A scholarship for students pursuing music business studies was established in Siman's name at [[Middle Tennessee State University]].
*In 2008, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau honored him with its Pinnacle Award, noting that "The impact of the [''Jubilee''] and Siman's efforts are still felt by Springfield's tourism industry."
*In 2008, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau honored him with its Pinnacle Award, noting that "The impact of the [''Jubilee''] and Siman's efforts are still felt by Springfield's tourism industry."
*He was awarded a "Missourian of the Year Award" for his contributions to the arts.


== Notes ==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==

* ''Ozark Jubilee Souvenir Picture Album'' (first edition, 1955)
* ''Ozark Jubilee Souvenir Picture Album'' (first edition, 1955)
*Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' "The Everyday Magazine", p.&nbsp;1
*Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' "The Everyday Magazine", p.&nbsp;1
Line 73: Line 85:
*Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', "Show", p.&nbsp;1
*Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', "Show", p.&nbsp;1
* {{citation|first=Rita|last=Spears-Stewart|title=Remembering the Ozark Jubilee|publisher=Stewart, Dillbeck & White Productions|year=1993|isbn=0-9638648-0-7}}.
* {{citation|first=Rita|last=Spears-Stewart|title=Remembering the Ozark Jubilee|publisher=Stewart, Dillbeck & White Productions|year=1993|isbn=0-9638648-0-7}}.
*Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]], p.&nbsp;59
*Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', p.&nbsp;59
*Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'', p. J4
*Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'', p. J4
*Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), ''[[Springfield News-Leader]]'', p.&nbsp;1C
*Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), ''[[Springfield News-Leader]]'', p.&nbsp;1C
Line 85: Line 97:
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Springfield, Missouri]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
⚫
[[Category:American record producers]]
⚫
[[Category:Talent managers]]
[[Category:American radio executives]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
⚫
[[Category:American radio executives]]
[[Category:American television executives]]
[[Category:American television executives]]
[[Category:Berea College alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Missouri]]
[[Category:Drury University alumni]]
[[Category:Drury University alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Duke University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Springfield, Missouri]]
[[Category:Record producers from Missouri]]
⚫
[[Category:Talent managers]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 09:03, 20 July 2024

Si Siman
Background information
Birth nameEly E. Siman Jr.
Also known asSi Siman
Born(1921-01-17)January 17, 1921
Springfield, Missouri
DiedDecember 16, 1994(1994-12-16) (aged 73)
Springfield, Missouri
Genrescountry music, pop music
Occupation(s)Radio producer
Talent manager
Television producer
Music publisher
Years active1946 to 1987

Si Siman (born Ely E. Siman Jr.; January 17, 1921 – December 16, 1994) was an American country music executive as a radio producer, talent agent, songwriter, record producer, television producer and music publisher who helped transform the sound of music in the Ozarks after World War II and into the 1980s. He discovered Country Music Hall of Fame Members Chet Atkins and Porter Wagoner, and secured record deals for The Browns and Brenda Lee among others; and was the key figure behind Ozark Jubilee, the first network television series to feature America's top country music stars. According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, he was "the driving force in the emergence of Springfield, Missouri, as a country music center in the 1950s."[1]

Biography

[edit]

Siman was born in Springfield, Missouri on January 17, 1921, and was a batboy for the Springfield Cardinals. He scored a World Series ring with the Gashouse Gang (1934) St. Louis Cardinals as batboy. He spent a summer and half driving legendary scout Charley Barrett who was working for Branch Rickey, the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.[2] He attended Duke University, Berea College and graduated from Drury College after serving in the US Navy during World War II.

Radio producer

[edit]

He returned to Springfield and rejoined Ralph Foster's KWTO, where he had worked as a teenager, and became vice president of Foster's RadiOzark Enterprises, Inc., which produced nationally syndicated radio shows from Springfield hosted by such performers as Tennessee Ernie Ford, George Morgan, Smiley Burnette and Bill Ring.[3]

Siman would produce multiple radio shows, including Sermons In Song, Saddle Rockin'Rhythm starring Shorty and Sue Thompson, 260 shows starring Tennessee Ernie Ford, and 293 award-winning radio shows featuring Smiley Burnette. He also produced The Bill Ring Show for General Mills heard on for two years on ABC Radio.

An ear for talent

[edit]

Siman discovered Chet Atkins and Porter Wagoner in the early 1950s. He took a recording of "Canned Heat" by Chet Atkins to Steve Shoals at RCA Victor resulting in a label deal. He was Wagoner's first manager having heard him on a local broadcast from a butcher shop in West Plains, Missouri; produced his first hit, "A Satisfied Mind", in Springfield; and signed him to an RCA Records contract in 1951. He told Atkins his given name, Chester, wouldn't make it in country music,[4] and he helped Atkins and The Browns land contracts with RCA. He would pitch Brenda Lee to Paul Cohen at Decca Records and put her on the Ozark Jubilee, Steve Allen Show, the Ed Sullivan Show and the Perry Como show to help launch her career.

Television producer

[edit]

From 1954-1961, Siman and Mahaffey were managing vice presidents of Foster's Crossroads TV Productions, and co-executive producers of ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee, the first popular country music series on network television. In April, 1954, Siman lured Red Foley to Springfield to host the program over a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.[4] Siman also handled booking most of the show's performers.

Siman and Mahaffey were also co-executive producers of the show's spin-off, NBC's Five Star Jubilee (1961); as well as The Eddy Arnold Show (1956) and Talent Varieties (1955), both ABC.

Siman in Nashville in the 1960s

In 1963, Foster, Siman and Mahaffey formed Tele-Color, Inc., which in 1964 filmed color segments for ABC's Wide World of Sports and other programs.

Music publishing

[edit]

Siman would publish major hit songs from Springfield, Missouri spanning four decades. Especially noteworthy are the standards "The Letter" (Two-time Grammy Nominee) (#1 1967) - the song would be covered by artists all around the world but would have the distinction of being a top 20 single in the US three times in a span of four years (’67, ’69 and ’70) with the Boxtops, the Arbors and Joe Cocker, and Always on My Mind. (Grammy Song of the Year and Grammy Country Song of the Year, Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance, two-time CMA Song of the Year, CMA Single of the Year, Nashville Songwriters Association Song of the Year, ACM Single of the Year, BMI Top 100 Song of the Century, BMI Most Performed Song Award).

1950s: Starting in partnership with Foster and John B. Mahaffey (Foster's nephew), they established the Earl Barton Music, Inc. publishing company. The firm obtained copyrights for national country hits including Little Jimmy Dickens' smash "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" (1950), "Trademark" with Carl Smith (1953) and Johnny Mullins' novelty tune "Company's Comin'" (1954).[5]

1960s: Siman scored huge success in the late 1960s with songwriter Wayne Carson Thompson, besides "The Letter", "Always On My Mind", he published "Soul Deep" (The Box Tops); "Neon Rainbow" (The Box Tops), "No Love At All" B.J. Thomas, "Do It Again A Little Bit Slower" Jon and Robin, and "Somebody Like Me" Eddy Arnold. He helped such local artists as Ronnie Self and Johnny Mullins ("Blue Kentucky Girl") chart nationally.

1970s: Siman and Carson would gather a string of hits with country music legend Gary Stewart. Working closely with Roy Dea at RCA Records, Stewart would score his only career #1 single with the song She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles). Other titles were "Drinkin' Thing", "I See The Want To In Your Eyes", "Oh,Sweet Temptation", "Ten Years of This" and "Whiskey Trip". Other #1 singles in the 1970s included "I See the Want to in Your Eyes" with Conway Twitty and Rocky (song) by Dickie Lee (also a top 10 pop hit with Austin Roberts. Top 5 hits included Always on My Mind by Elvis Presley.

In the late 1970s Siman advised Tim Nichols, who later co-wrote Tim McGraw's smash hit "Live Like You Were Dying", and in 1980 urged him to move from Springfield to Nashville.[6]

1980s: Siman would publish three #1 singles in the 1980s before his retirement including The Clown (Conway Twitty song) by "Conway Twitty" and cover versions of Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson and the Pet Shop Boys.

Later years

[edit]

In 1970, Siman established the Red Foley Memorial Music Award at Berea College. The annual award is presented to students there in recognition of their musical contributions to the campus.

Silver anniversary envelope label

He was active with the Shriners and was appointed chief aide in 1980. He promoted a show for the Shriners at the Superdome in New Orleans featuring George Strait as the headliner.

When he retired in 1987, Siman sold Earl Barton Music and the rights to a catalog of nearly 2,000 songs to Rolf Budde Musikverlage of Germany.[7] In 1991, he donated his papers to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In January 1994, Siman helped found Ozarks Pictures Corp. to produce family films. Its first feature was 1995's A Place to Grow, shot in southwest Missouri and starring Gary Morris, Wilford Brimley and Boxcar Willie.[8]

Siman died of cancer in Springfield on December 16, 1994.

Family

[edit]

His son, Scott Siman, is an entertainment executive in Nashville who manages and oversees the multi-faceted career of superstar Tim McGraw, as well as managing numerous other country music artists and publishing multiple #1 country songs such as "Make You Miss Me" by Sam Hunt, "Break Up With Him" by Old Dominion, "Save it For a Rainy Day" by Kenny Chesney and "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett.

Posthumous recognition

[edit]
  • A scholarship for students pursuing music business studies was established in Siman's name at Middle Tennessee State University.
  • In 2008, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau honored him with its Pinnacle Award, noting that "The impact of the [Jubilee] and Siman's efforts are still felt by Springfield's tourism industry."
  • He was awarded a "Missourian of the Year Award" for his contributions to the arts.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Encyclopedia of Country Music, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2012
  2. ^ Booher, Kate "'I want People to feel like this is their Team'" (June 5, 2005), Springfield News-Leader, p. 8D
  3. ^ Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), St. Louis Post-Dispatch "The Everyday Magazine", p. 1
  4. ^ a b Sylvester, Ron "100 Ozarkers: 'Si' Siman Impacted Country Music" (October 10, 1999), "Progress," Springfield News-Leader, p. 8H
  5. ^ Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), The Chicago Sun-Times, "Show", p. 1
  6. ^ Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), Springfield News-Leader, p. 1C
  7. ^ Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), Billboard, p. 59
  8. ^ Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), The Kansas City Star, p. J4

References

[edit]
  • Ozark Jubilee Souvenir Picture Album (first edition, 1955)
  • Terry, Dickson "Hillbilly Music Center" (February 5, 1956), St. Louis Post-Dispatch "The Everyday Magazine", p. 1
  • "Hillbilly TV Show Hits the Big Time" (March 10, 1956), Business Week, p. 30
  • The Ozark Jubilee starring Red Foley (1956), Radiozark Enterprises, Inc.
  • Ozark Jubilee Souvenir Picture Album (second edition, 1956), © Ozark Jubilee's Crossroads Store
  • Country Music Jubilee Souvenir Picture Album (third edition, 1957)
  • "The Death of TV's Jubilee" (September 18, 1960), Springfield Leader & Press, p. D4
  • Hoekstra, Dave "Sounds from the Heartland in an All-American Festival" (June 28, 1992), The Chicago Sun-Times, "Show", p. 1
  • Spears-Stewart, Rita (1993), Remembering the Ozark Jubilee, Stewart, Dillbeck & White Productions, ISBN 0-9638648-0-7.
  • Update; Lifelines; Deaths, E.E. "Si" Siman (January 14, 1995), Billboard, p. 59
  • Butler, Robert W. "Screen Notes" (January 22, 1995), The Kansas City Star, p. J4
  • Brothers, Michael A. "A Songwriter's Journey to the Top" (February 13, 2005), Springfield News-Leader, p. 1C
  • Sylvester, Ron "100 Ozarkers: 'Si' Siman Impacted Country Music" (October 10, 1999), "Progress," Springfield News-Leader, p. 8H
  • Booher, Kate "'I want People to feel like this is their Team'" (June 5, 2005), Springfield News-Leader, p. 8D
  • Eng, Steve (1992), A Satisfied Mind: the Country Music Life of Porter Wagoner, Rutledge Hill Press, ISBN 1-55853-133-5.
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