The top 10 Ozark Mountain Daredevils songs start by looking at a Southern country rock band that officially got its start in Springfield, Missouri in 1972. There were two signature songs that came from the group’s musical repertoire that stood out the most, at least among fans and critics as all-time favorites. “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” was the first in 1974 and was followed by “Jackie Blue” in 1975. According to bassist Michael Granda, the full name was Cosmic Corn Cob & His Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils after the group learned the original name the band had, Family Tree, was already taken. During the height of its popularity, Ozark Mountain Daredevils were often compared to the Eagles, Firefall, and the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Family Tree
Before becoming Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the band was originally founded in 1971 as Family Tree. The founding members were Elizabeth Anderson, Rick Campanelli, Randle Chowning, Steve Cash, John Dillon, Michael Granda, Bill Jones, and Larry Lee. Together, they recorded a demo that had “Rhythm of Joy” find its way to a music executive in New York named John Hammond. During the summer of 1972, a producer was sent to Aldrich, Missouri to meet with the band at the Ruedi-Valley Ranch. Chowning and his brother, Rusty, were living as renters of a house located on the property that was owned by his university teacher. His band was permitted to rehearse there and it would be at this location The Lost Cabin Sessions would be recorded as another demo tape that was supposed to go to American Artists. Even after producer Michael Sunday offered the band money to make the second demo, the end decision was to pass on signing a contract with the label.
Instead, as Family Tree, the group sent a demo tape to the management team of fellow Missouri musicians, Brewer & Shipley. Paul Peterson and Stan Plesser, who owned and operated the Kansas City-based Good Karma Productions, agreed to become the band’s manager. However, the crew learned at the time Family Tree was already used by another musical act and that a new name needed to be found. The result was Ozark Mountain Daredevils. In addition to the band’s name change, the lineup changed as well. Campanelli and Jones were out and were replaced by a piano player named Buddy Brayfield. Anderson, who was romantically linked with Dillon, also decided to opt out as she decided to retire from the stage. Campanelli’s decision to leave the band was so he could pursue a master’s degree in music. With Jones, he occasionally performed as a guest musician with the Ozark crew on various recording sessions and concert performances.
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Between 1972 and 1973, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils performed at various venues in and around Kansas City, Missouri, as well as St. Louis. It would be from these two cities Archive Alive would be put together and released as a CD in 1997. This came about long after Ozark Mountain Daredevils signed up with A&M Records as its producer, David Anderle, was looking for a country rock band to add to the label’s repertoire. However, when he and fellow producer Glyn Johns visited the Cowtown Ballroom, the Missouri home of the Ozarks as performers, the March 10, 1973 show wasn’t as up to par as it should have been. The nervousness the Ozark crew felt at the time compromised its ability to perform as world-class musicians. As a result, Peterson invited Anderle and Johns to his home to listen to the band give an unplugged performance by candlelight. This time, the producers heard exactly what they came for. After the Ozark Mountain Daredevils signed a contract with A&M Records in May 1973, the crew was sent to London, England, and its Olympic Studios to record its first album.
December 1973 marked the release date of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, along with the debut single, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven.” By the summer of 1974, this became a number twenty-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. To this day, it remains a fan favorite among country rock music fans. Overall, the album received favorable reviews from music critics with the group’s eclectic approach to what was a relatively laid-back, Southern-style country rock album. This was followed by the 1974 release of It’ll Shine When It Shines. This time, it was recorded using a mobile recording truck that was situated just outside the band’s rehearsal base. It was during this time Glyn Johns overheard pianist Larry Lee playing a song about some mysterious friend who also happened to be a drug dealer. The melody inspired Johns to encourage Lee and his bandmates to use it for a song where the storyline was changed to make reference to a girl instead of drugs. Lee and Steve Cash agreed and “Jackie Blue” became the result.
Thanks to the success of “Jackie Blue,” A&M Records hoped the Ozark Mountain Daredevils would stick to a musical sound that scored the group its first top-ten hit. The success of this single, along with the album’s performance prompted 1975’s The Car Over the Lake Album to feature a tracklist similar to the group’s previous recordings. However, it failed to produce any hits. At one point, the group was offered to move to Southern California by A&M’s Jerry Moss. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils had no desire to move away from its Missouri base, making it difficult for the label to further capitalize on what they looked at as a cash cow. It also served as a reversal of fortune for the band as A&M began to lose interest in working with a band it felt started out with so much promise.
Shaking the Mountain
After embarking on a European tour in 1976, the weary Ozark Mountain Daredevils met with a disastrous final performance during a concert show in Copenhagen, Denmark. The sound quality at its Daddy’s Dance Hall venue was terrible and a flustered Randle Chowning cranked up his amplifier in response. As a result, his bandmates couldn’t hold back their frustrations and what should have been a regular concert performance became an on-stage confrontation. By the time everybody went home, Chowning refused to have anything further to do with the Ozark crew so they ultimately replaced him with Rune Walle, a Norweigan musician the group met when they were in Europe. The US tour featured Walle in the lineup, starting with a July 23, 1976 performance as one of the bands who performed in Kansas City, Missouri, and its Arrowhead Stadium.
While the Ozark Mountain Daredevils moved forward, Chowning created his own group, the Randle Chowning Band. Before 1976 was over, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils recorded their fourth album, Men From Earth. Originally, it was supposed to be titled Nuclear Fishing but A&M Records demanded it be changed. While this one didn’t release any hits either, it once again featured Larry Lee as one of the group’s prized songwriters, along with Steve Cash and John Dillon. It was the fourth studio album in a row that featured A&M’s Anderle as the group’s producer. After this, Buddy Brayfield opted out of the lineup so he could study medicine. He was replaced by Ruell Chappell. However, the three album releases by Ozark Mountain Daredevils witnessed a gradual decline in the group’s popularity as a recording artist. During this time frame, Jerry Mills was part of the lineup as its mandolin player. After 1978’s It’s Alive, he was let go. The musical direction of the group also shifted with fewer acoustic performances whenever doing live shows.
1978 witnessed various bandmates from Ozark Mountain Daredevils dabble in side projects that included White Mansions, an album Steve Cash and John Dillon collaborated on that musically documented what life was like in the Confederacy during the timeline of the American Civil War. Guest musicians Eric Clapton, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, and Bernie Leadon each contributed to the album’s tracklist as guest musicians. 1978 also marked the year Larry Lee put together a solo album for A&M but it remained unreleased. While still as a group, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils were flown to Hollywood to appear on The Midnight Special. A&M’s Jerry Moss was unimpressed when he witnessed the group was not at their best as they performed on the show. This led to the label dropping the Ozarks.
Moving Mountains
In 1979, the Ozark lineup signed with Columbia Records and in 1980, released Ozark Mountain Daredevils. In charge of production was John Boylan. He brought in session players in place of Steve Canaday and Ruell Chappell as he wanted the album to have a California-style country rock sound. Unfortunately, the popularity of country rock at this time began to decline and groups like the Ozarks found themselves having to make an important decision where to go from here. In an effort to get that popularity back, the country rock sound that made the Ozark Mountain Daredevils popular to begin with was sidelined in favor of a harder rock sound. However, this wound up becoming a decision that failed to win the record stores over. As a result, Columbia dropped the Ozark crew from the label. After this, Rune Walle and Ruell Chappell left the lineup. Terry Wilson came in, primarily as Walle’s replacement. Before 1980 was over, there were two reunion concerts held by Ozark Mountain Daredevils that would lead to the 2006 release of 1980 Reunion Concert: Rhythm and Joy.
As for the band’s lineup throughout the course of the 1980s, Larry Lee was next to leave after he and his wife finalized their divorce in 1982. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and debuted with his solo album, Marooned. He also put his production and songwriting talent to good use for other stars such as Alabama and Juice Newton. When Lee left the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the lineup was reduced to Steve Canaday, Steve Cash, John Dillon, Mike Granda, and Terry Wilson. However, this didn’t last for long as Cash and Dillon decided to opt out before the year was over. This left Granda and now a returning Randle Chowning to put together a reformation of Ozark Mountain Daredevils. They brought in Bobby Hicks, Gary Smith, and Joe Terry. Canaday remained as he resumed the role of the band’s road manager, a position he already had earlier. This new roster didn’t last for long as Chowning left once again and Hicks moved on to join a new group, the Morells. After this, Cash and Dillon rejoined the Ozarks. Soon afterward, Smith moved on. Chowning would join again the third time.
Overall, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils have recorded and released eight studio albums between 1973 and 2018. It also has six live albums and six compilation albums to its credit. Two of them were United States releases while the other four were in Europe. There are also two live DVDs and fourteen singles. The two biggest hits were “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” and “Jackie Blue.” There were four other singles that also became hits on the music charts, starting with “Look Away.” The legacy of Ozark Mountain Daredevils was featured in It Shined, a book written by Mike Granda that was published in 2008. He covered everything from how he and his bandmates got their start and how their lives were before, during, and after the Ozark Mountain Daredevils rose to fame.
Top 10 Ozark Mountain Daredevils Songs
#10 – Standin’ On a Rock
“Standin’ On a Rock” was an anti-war song performed through the eyes of a young boy who simply wanted the world to learn how to get along. Eager to grow up, he was also eager to achieve his own set of dreams which included finding a home for himself in the country as a proud citizen of a nation he called home. This was one of many country-rock gems that came from the Ozark Mountain Daredevils debut album, which was released in December 1973. The beauty behind this song was the sharing of what so many boys and girls experienced while living in an environment where the influences of city living didn’t behave like a life-altering disease. It was simple and it was country. It was also Ozark Mountain Daredevils at its finest as it bridged the gap between down-to-earth grassroots with rowdy rock.
#9 – Mr. Powell
“Mr. Powell” was written as a historic ballad by Larry Lee, who has performed as the drummer, keyboardist, and pianist for Ozark Mountain Daredevils as one of its original band members. The song shared the tale of John Wesley Powell, a man who led a party of ten men to discover and learn more about the Colorado River in 1869. This beauty was part of the 1975 tracklist that belonged to the group’s third studio album, The Car Over the Lake Album. John Dillon’s performance with the mandolin can be heard here, as well as the harpsichord intro that played key roles in turning “Mr. Powell” into a gem, especially among fans who fancy themselves to be American history buffs. “Mr. Powell” is as entertaining to listen to as it is educational. It revealed a piece of American history it people should be proud of as the earliest explorers braved the elements to help the nation realize its true potential.
#8 – Country Girl
“Country Girl” was a song written by Randle Chowning that focused heavily as a harmonica favorite that shared similar qualities as “Take It Easy” from the Eagles. This became a classic favorite among the fans of Ozark Mountain Daredevils and its self-titled debut album. The timing of the album’s release was late 1973 and “Country Girl” was among the gems that highlighted the bluegrass roots of a country rock band that won a solid American, Canadian, and European audience. This song was about the positive influence of a down-to-earth woman who can help kick out the blues in favor of some good old-fashioned country-style fun.
#7 – E.E. Lawson
Written by Steve Cash, “E.E. Lawson” was a rootsy Southern-style rocker that defined the Ozark Mountain Daredevils as a country rock band with a solid grassroots background. This came from It’ll Shine When It Shines, the second studio album released by a group that often demonstrated great country songs don’t always have to come across as woeful ballads over lost loves and bad lifestyle choices. In the lyrics, “E.E. Lawson” was a man who ran the local general store and seemed to have something for everyone. People from the Ozarks or the Appalachian are familiar with their own version of an “E.E Lawson” that had a store that also doubled as a speakeasy. These establishments offered food, drink, and a local band for locals and travelers to simply hang out and have some fun.
#6 – It’ll Shine When It Shines
The beauty behind “It’ll Shine When It Shines” featured lyrics pointing out that no matter how hard you try to control fate, whatever it has in store for you will always do exactly what it has been designed to do. The key to happiness is to take in the blessings as they come and use them to your advantage when life doesn’t seem to be so peachy. As a song that best defines what makes country and grassroots music, “It’ll Shine When It Shines” was also the title behind an album that had Ozark Mountain Daredevils shine like they never had before. While “Jackie Blue” became the big hit that got most of the attention, the title track was equally deserving of earning mention as a musical gem. When it first came out, it was a party favorite that had people sing to it at the top of their lungs. Today, as new fans are introduced to classic country rock, “It’ll Shine When It Shines” becomes a favorite for guitarists and singers to gather around and jam to.
#5 – If I Only Knew
Released as a single in 1976, “If I Only Knew” came from the album, The Car Over the Lake Album. It peaked as high as number sixty-five on the US Billboard Hot 100, at number seventy-one on the US Cashbox chart, and at number seventy-four in Canada. This was a laid-back favorite that carried the same musical style found in It’ll Shine When It Shines. What’s cool about this song is the brush with nostalgia it brings as someone looking back to a lifetime of memories, along with all the adventures and misadventures that went with it.
If there was ever an unofficial album that could have worked with The Dukes of Hazzard, The Car Over the Lake Album would have been it. Songs like “If I Only Knew” would make the perfect theme song for some of the older characters like Uncle Jessie or even Sherriff Rosco Coltrane. Interestingly enough, the release of this album took place after 1975’s Moonrunners became a box office hit. This was the movie that spawned the 1979 series, The Dukes of Hazzard. 2007’s The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning actually used one of the songs from Ozark Mountain Daredevils during a scene that witnessed how the great “General Lee” became the beating heart of one of the most beloved television series of all time.
#4 – Homemade Wine
“Homemade Wine” came from the fourth studio album recorded by Ozark Mountain Devils, Men from Earth. This 1976 production once again featured the songwriting talent of Larry Lee. Although it wasn’t technically released as a single, it was one of the highlights from an album that featured the musical talent of a group that stuck to its roots as a country rock act also known for hints of bluegrass and pop. This was a lively song that showed off a mix of country and rock flair that made this group cause labels like A&M Records to pay attention to its brand of music. If you’re looking for a great song to dance to, perhaps after a sip or two of wine, “Homemade Wine” would be it. If there isn’t any wine around, perhaps some moonshine or any kind of spirit will do.
#3 – You Know Like I Know
Written by Larry Lee, “You Know Like I Know” was a standout favorite from Men from Earth, the fourth album recorded and released by Ozark Mountain Devils. Although it wasn’t released as a single and didn’t become a hit on any official music charts, it became a popular fan favorite. Once again, Lee’s masterful songwriting skills served as a highlight, as well as his genius with the piano. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it became a number seventy-four hit while the US Cashbox chart saw it peak as high as number fifty-five.
In Canada, it was a number sixty-two hit. “You Know Like I Know” was a calm ballad that laid out assurances that no matter how hard things get, the faith in knowing things will work out, in the long run, makes things feel a bit more tolerable to deal with. This was a musical trademark that dictated most of the music that came from Ozark’s core lineup and why they still have a strong fan following even after performing for over fifty years.
#2 – If You Wanna Get to Heaven
“If You Wanna Get to Heaven” became a number twenty-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and a number twenty-three hit in Canada after it was released in late 1973 as a single from its debut album, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. On the US Cashbox chart, it peaked as high as number twenty-one. Nine years later, it was covered by Hank William Jr., for his album, High Notes. It was covered again in 1997 by Jeff Carson for his album, Butterfly Kisses. The original version of this song was featured on the Rebel Radio tracklist belonging to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto V. The 2013 release of this racing-based RPG game became one of the most popular games published by Rockstar Games where the fans seemed to enjoy the music as much as the gameplay itself.
In addition to making its mark in the video game industry, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” was also playing in the background during a scene from the 2007 movie, The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. Fans of the popular television series watched the iconic General Lee get pulled out of the water and watch the popular 1969 Dodge Charger restored back to its former glory. The song, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” pointed out that in order to get there one had to raise a little hell. According to the fans who can’t get enough of this song, they’re in complete agreement. At the time of release, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils sported long hair and strutted about as country-style rockers with attitude. It was a formula that worked in their favor and got them noticed by record labels, starting with A&M.
#1 – Jackie Blue
“Jackie Blue” got its start as a song from Larry Lee as he was playing the piano while Glyn Johns overheard his performance. The former Eagles producer loved the melody so much that he wanted to make sure the Ozark Mountain Daredevils made a full song from it. After it was released in 1974 as a single, it became a number three hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Since then, “Jackie Blue” has become the signature song fans of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils identify the band with the most.
Before “Jackie Blue” was birthed as a full song, the melody Lee performed as his own song was about a bartending friend who sold drugs on the side. However, by request, the storyline was altered to focus on a reclusive girl as a performance Johns believed would earn the Ozark Mountain Daredevils another hit on the radio. As it turned out, he was right. It took about half an hour for Lee and Steve Cash to come up with the lyrics. In cities such as Baltimore, Maryland, and Chicago, Illinois, “Jackie Blue” became so popular that A&M Records hoped the Ozark Mountain Daredevils would stick to a Jackie-style theme while the group was still signed to the label. However, there can only be one “Jackie Blue” and that was established over the course of the next three albums recorded and released by the band from Missouri.
Feature Photo: IFA-International Famous Agency/ A&M Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Ozark Mountain Daredevils Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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