A bit of SigEp Trivia...

Woody Herman was a popular band leader in the "Big Band Era". He was also a Sig Ep and wrote this piece, which he titled  - what else? - "Sig Ep"

"Drink Beer" has a new rival

When I joined SigEp, in the dark ages when dirt was new, the song "Drink Beer" was an old standard. We would sing it at the drop of a hat, and even when the old alumni guys came around, they knew it too.

In fact it is still one of the favorites whenever SigEps gather and want to announce that a grand time is being had by all.

But today Tom Barton has announced a new contender for a SigEp song.

Ohhhhh man. We've created a monster. Check out this SigEp song created by the WI Theta Juggernaut!!!!! Credit to Brother Michael Huttenhoff! This thing could go national!

Tom Barton

Give it a listen here:



Fantastic? Lame? Want to see it at the the Buc Cup Presentations in Phoenix? Are you jamming a pencil in your ear so you don't have to listen again?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

'60's Sig Ep Rock Band Reunites at Morningside College

Rock band reunites for Homecoming events
Joanne Fox
Bruce Springsteen sang about people who pined for their "Glory Days."

Morningside College alum Dan Horswell of South Euclid, Ohio, also had his glory days as a member of The 7 Sons rock band back in the 1960s.

Some four decades later, Horswell -- retired from Rockwell Automation as project manager in Information Technology -- is playing as much music today as he was back then.

"My wife Barbara and I are both involved with The Singing Angels, which is a performing chorus comprised of youth," he said. "I am also playing and singing in two Cleveland area bands with the emphasis on '50s and '60s rock and roll and early '70s Motown.

"I don’t know how I ever had time to work in the corporate world!" Horswell joked.

The 7 Sons return to Morningside next weekend and will be featured as part of the college's Homecoming/Family Weekend.

Horswell, a 1964 graduate of Armstrong (Iowa) High School, choose Morningside College for two reasons.

"My father had attended the college for one year in the 1930s and Morningside was a highly respected institution for music, both for performance and to become a music educator," he recalled. "I entered college as a declared instrumental music education major with the tenor saxophone as my primary instrument."

The 7 Sons met as pledges into the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The core group was Rick Mellor, Rick Knobe and Horswell.

"We learned about each others' music background and playing in local rock and roll bands during high school days," Horswell said. "Early in the fall of 1964 we decided to express ourselves musically. The group formed as a result of our love of music."

Over a period of several weeks, the three musicians met the other four members, Doug Dingel, Alan Oliver, Bill Woolery and Ed Wade. Larry Dixon came to Morningside in the fall of 1965 and replaced Woolery as the drummer.

The group originally called themselves The Rising Sons.

"But we were informed that was an infringement on the rights for that name," Horswell said. "Another band had claimed it already. Since there were seven of us it was a natural progression from Rising to Seven."

The group's first engagement was the Morningside College Commons, early in 1965, Horswell said.

"We became local celebrities and that included a TV appearance in Sioux Falls that was a local 'American Bandstand' show, judging local band contests, modeling clothes for one of the large downtown department stores, and appearing at homecomings and multiple venues in the area," he reminisced. "I especially remember Heelan High's homecomings, Sioux City's auditorium, and several of the live music night spots downtown where we performed."

The 7 Sons cut numerous records and toured through the Midwest with national acts like The Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits and the Fifth Dimension. They performed actively until the late '60s when members began graduating and moving on. In 2002 The 7 Sons was named to the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame for their diverse variety of rock, R&B, pop and cover tunes, plus choreography.

"I can tell you that Alan Oliver was a phenomenal dancer who brought the group to life with his choreography," Horswell said.

Does that mean a future gig on ABC-TV's "Dancing with the Stars?"

"That’s a wonderful thought," Horswell admitted, "but I think that age has caught up with us and we wouldn't be 'flashy' enough for television today."

If you go
Food, music and football will be part of Morningside College's Homecoming/Family Weekend,

The weekend features a ribs and chicken barbecue at the Lewis Bowl Annex, 3828 Stadium Drive, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 2. Rock and roll groups The Velaires will open at 7 p.m. for The 7 Sons who will take the stage at 8 p.m.

The football game against Dana College begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at Olsen Stadium. "Taste of Morningside," featuring a number of food vendors, follows at 4:30 p.m. across from Dimmitt Hall. The Magnificent Board of Directors will provide music. Children's activities will be set up. A fireworks display will cap the events at 7:30 p.m.

More information can be found at the "Alumni & Friends" section of morningside.edu or by calling 274-5107.

What if... "Green Day" were SigEps?

Maybe the SigEp choir will use this arrangement at Conclave! Maybe not.

That whirling noise in the background is "Uncle Billy" spinning in his grave!

YouthAIDS benefit brings hip-hop music to campus - Front Page

D.J. $crilla helped Pittsburg State (KS) Sig Eps raise Money for YouthAids.

Media Credit: Raymond Hillegas DJ $crilla, recording artist and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus from Ohio, raps during the YouthAids Benefit Concert last Friday evening at Gorilla Village. Sigma Phi Epsilon's national chapter donated $3 for every dollar that was raised through ticket sales at the concert.

Recording artist and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus D.J. $crilla says he is always happy to take part in causes, so when the opportunity came up to do a YouthAids benefit concert held by the fraternity, he didn't think twice.

"Sigma Phi Epsilon's philanthropy is YouthAids," the rapper said. "Anytime I can get involved with charity, especially YouthAids, I'm all about it. Also, being a member of the fraternity doesn't hurt."

$crilla was the main act for Sigma Phi Epsilon's concert, held Friday, April 27, in the Gorilla Village. For every dollar raised through ticket sales, the fraternity's national chapter donated $3.

"It's extremely important for artists to get involved with the community because you have a voice," $crilla said. "There are so many people on this Earth that need our help, and as an artist I feel it's part of my duty to spread the knowledge to others to get involved in some way."

Pat Cribbs, Sigma Phi Epsilon's vice president of member development, says the expected.

"After we communicated with the artists, we pulled through and we put on a great production," Cribbs, junior in psychology education, said.

YouthAIDS benefit brings hip-hop music to campus - Front Page

Rapper offers insight on lyrics, catchy sounds

DJ $crilla is "in da house" at OSU. You may remember him from the 2005 Nashville Conclave.

DJ $crilla is a student, musician and someone who has a new vision of what hip-hop is today.
[...]
DJ $crilla, whose real name is Chris Harris, has made a name for himself by creating a new sound that catches listeners attention and brings something new to the music scene.

His style of hip-hop has led him to create songs unlike those in the mainstream which talk about getting ladies and living large.

Instead, he raps about fraternities and sororities.

Harris first got the idea to rap about greek life when he went to Kent State University and joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
[...]
Since writing that first song, he has created unusual hits for different fraternities and sororities scattered throughout the country.

“His music is a little different for my taste, but it’s cool to have a song that you and your sisters can dance to,” said Lindsey Roskam, an elementary education sophomore and member of Alpha Delta Pi.

"A little different" indeed. The front row of the Ryman was populated by "old grumpy has-beens" who were, shall we say... less than enthusiastic about his hip-hop style. Of course those folks still think Michael Jackson is cutting edge, so consider the source.

Rapper offers insight on lyrics, catchy sounds

Sig Ep Nick Motil Spring Schedule

Nick Motil Spring Schedule May Bring Him to a Campus Near You

Friends,
Just wanted to take a minute and "See you soon" message out to many of you as the tour kicks off Monday morning with the drive to the first show in Iowa!
Please head over to the website here http://www.nickmotil.com/ or here www.myspace.com/motillive and check out when and where I'm coming to your world.
First off though, let me just say....
California peeps, I'm sorry, my tour is taking me ALL OVER except to you...trust that this summer I'm playing San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco! ok?! happy now?! can we all just still be friends? good.
Texas, I'm coming in June..hang in there.

Moving on.

The show on January 20th with country platinum artist Little Big Town at the University of Indianapolis has been opened to the public for ticket sales!!!
Tickets are $20.00 and the show is general admission. If you're interested please contact:
Justin Libak219.384.5545libakjn@uindy.edu
Hope to see you there going nuts...its going to be a killer show!! this I promise!

Other than that, thanks to you all for a great 2006! I have a feeling 2007 is going to be even better...way better!!

Keep your ears and eyes open for information about the live CD and DVD taping that's currently being scheduled...hope you all can make it to Columbus! (chose C-bus since its halfway between Toledo and Indy...my two "launching pads" in the past few years). Plus, Cincy can come, MI an come without too much of a drive...and its just a small plane-ride away from everyone else! More info coming soon! REALLY soon!

The 4th studio release is scheduled for late August 2007! The album is going to take the music to a higher level...and will contain a full production version of Cleaner Eyes!!
You can hear the newest single "Either Way" on www.myspace.com/motillive

Much love, Be well, and SEE YOU SOON!!!
-Nick Motil