Ely E. "Si" Siman, Jr.
| Si Siman | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ely E. Siman, Jr. |
| Also known as | Si Siman |
| Born | January 17, 1921 |
| Died | December 16, 1994 (aged 73) |
| Genres | country music, pop music |
| Occupation(s) | music producer, talent manager, broadcasting executive |
| Associated acts |
Chet Atkins Porter Wagoner Wayne Carson Thompson Ronnie Self |
Si Siman (January 17, 1921 – December 16, 1994), born Ely E. Siman, Jr., was an American record producer and country music executive who helped transform the sound of music in the 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.
Siman was born in Springfield, Missouri on January 17, 1921, and was a batboy for the Springfield Cardinals. He graduated from Drury College and served in the US Navy during World War II. He then 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.
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 Records contract in 1951. He told Atkins his given name, Chester, wouldn't make it in country music, 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).
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