Scott Buckley Seely

1911 - 2011

December 25, 1911-January 20, 2011

Scott B. Seely, a songwriter, arranger, musician, producer passed away on January 20, 2011 at the age of 99 years, at his home in Palm Desert, while in the loving care of his wife, Dolores. Scott was born in Lyons, Kan., December 25, 1911. His father, Fred R. Seely, was a bank clerk, who several years later would receive his divinity degree and become a minister of the First Christian Church. His mother Daisy had studied voice and piano at a conservatory in Wichita, Kan., and she started giving Scott piano lessons when he was five years old. Scott's career started in Kansas in 1930 as a jazz pianist and arranger. By the mid-1940's, he had an office in Hollywood, called "Designs in Music", that provided musical arranging and vocal coaching services. He had calls from artists such as Dorothy Dandridge and Martin Denny and worked with other well known arrangers, such as Don Swan (Xavier Cugat Orchestra) when Dinah Shore was recording with Cugat. His first music publishing company was S&R (Songs & Records) Music, opening in 1951 to professionally represent original compositions and arrangements. He partnered with lyricist David Garvin and songwriter Mark Bigler. Accent Records was formed two years later as a way to promote songs and arrangement in the S&R Music catalog. In addition, since S&R Music was affiliated with ASCAP, two other publishing companies were founded around 1956 with BMI affiliation; Boomerang Music and Meteor Music. Many artists approached these labels with demos looking for a record deal. Accent's greatest success story was Buddy Merrill, who had been performing and recording with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra since 1955. Merrill had been experimenting with overdubbing for some years and in 1964 some recordings were played for Scott who immediately signed the guitarist to a contract which began a lifelong business and cherished personal relationship. In 1979, Scott and Dolores decided it was time to move their home and the business to Rancho Mirage area so that they could escape the Hollywood hustle and bustle. The studio located on Highway 111 was the first professional recording studio in the desert communities and agents from Los Angeles would call asking Scott to put bands together for special events in the Palm Springs area. Many well known musicians and celebrities recorded at the studio, including Jack Jones, Nick Lucas, Florence Henderson and even Ozzie Osbourne. Scott not only owned Accent Records, but was a producer, music arranger and composer, vocal coach, author and also a talented piano player who will be greatly missed by the many artists whose lives he enriched. Historian Michael R. Pitts said that Nick Lucas told him, "Scott Seely was one of the best musicians with whom I'd ever worked with. He doesn't know how talented he really is." Scott also enjoyed his many travels which he and Dolores took. There were 15 cruises, including Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Russia, and Hawaii numerous times. Also Gadabout tours were always booked with great anticipation. The family would like to thank the staffs of both Desert Oasis Health Care and Family Hospice Care for the loving and kind assistance to Scott and Dolores in the final months. Scott was preceded in death by his daughter, Allegra, but is survived by his loving wife, Dolores of Palm Desert; a sister, Adeline of Jackson. Miss; step-daughters Laura (Rolfe) Preisendanz of Temecula, Calif.; Lynda (James) Haley of Laton, Calif.; three granddaughters; one grandson; two great-granddaughters, and numerous nieces and cousins. No public service is being held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity. Scott gave freely to so many charities, he believed that they were all worthy causes. Our loss will be felt and shared by many.