Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS

Country-rock band formed '71, original lineup of Steve Cash (harmonica, vocals), John Dillon (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Larry Lee (guitar, drums, keyboards), Mike 'Supe' Granda (bass, vocals). Cash, raised in Springfield MO, began playing in bands as a teenager; joined Dillon and Lee in Emergency Band with Dillon's wife; changed names several times (Buffalo Chips, Burlap Socks, Family Tree) finally settling for Ozark Mountain Daredevils when Granda joined. Signed with A&M and recorded eponymous album in London '73 with Glyn Johns as co-producer; single "If You Wanna Get To Heaven' USA top 30 hit followed by biggest hit "Jackie Blue' '75; self- contained outfit underwent several lineup changes but maintained distinctive sound centered around Cash and Dillon, who were featured on Paul Kennerly concept album White Mansions '77. Moved to Columbia '79, same year Larry Lee left for solo career; he had a minor hit '82 then worked as Nashville record producer Larry Michael Lee. OMD continued to tour '80s but didn't record again until the Wendy Waldman-produced Modern History '89 on Conifer Request. Group now works as a five-piece with original members Cash, Dillon, Granda joined by D. Clinton Thompson on guitar and Steve Canady on drums and vocals. Other albums incl. It'll Shine When It Shines '74, The Car Over The Lake Album '75, Man From Earth '76, It's Alive '78 all on A&M; Ozark Mountain Daredevils '80 on Columbia.