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  • Oral History

Si Siman

September 19, 1989 OHC258 118 min.
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Biography


Country music promoter and broadcast producer. Born January 17, 1921. Died December 16, 1994. Full name: Ely Earl Siman Jr. AKA: E. E. Siman. Recognized for his primary role in the development of Springfield, Missouri as a country music center during the 1950s. Co-founder, Ozark Jubilee radio show and Jubilee USA television show. Co-founder Earl Barton Music, Top Talent Booking Agency, and the RadiOzark radio syndication company. Managed the career of Red Foley during the 1960s.

Interview Summary

1989 September 19
(1 hour, 58 minutes)
Country music entrepreneur Si Siman discusses his role in the development of Springfield, Missouri as a country music center. Discussion includes his childhood; his early work as a country music promoter; working for Ralph Foster and KWTO; RadiOzark Enterprises; hiring talent to work for RadiOzark, including George Morgan, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Smiley Burnette; the Missouri career of Charlie Brown, of Brown Radio Productions; the start of his publishing company, Earl Barton Music; the Ozark Jubilee; getting into the recording business; the start of Porter Wagoner’s career; and the formation of Crossroads TV Productions, Inc.