The Daredevils bring their legendary sound to the Harvest Music Festival

review by Peter Lewis

Perhaps the most famous band set to perform at the Harvest Music Festival at Mulberry Mountain is the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

Hailing from Springfield, Mo., the group was initially tapped by A&M Records to rival the Eagles. Though those dreams never quite manifested themselves, the Daredevils forged ahead on their own terms and making their own music, leaving behind a trail of top hits and adoring fans.

While there were massive hits over the years, what initially attracted famed producer, Glyn Johns, was the unabashed rustic nature of the Daredevils music. They seemed to tap into something within the hidden heart of old America, which greatly appealed to Johns. The result of the Daredevils collaboration with john spawned their two most famous songs, “Jackie Blue” and “If You Want To Get To Heaven.” It was, however, not the catchy country rock tunes like Jackie Blue or Heaven that illustrated the greatness of the Daredevils. This greatness was littered throughout their first two albums in songs like “It’ll Shine When It Shine,” “Country Girl,” “You Made It Right,” or “Standin’ on the Rock.”

Despite making some of the best music of the decade, the Daredevils never quite took off like expected. Though there are some who place the blame on the level of expectations placed on the group. According to John Dillon, the band vocalist and jack of all trades instrumentalist, it was a question of lifestyle.

During our recent short conversation, he verified the generally accepted story that the band had simply preferred not to tour. More comfortable on their farms surrounding Springfield, the group never quite captured the national attention span and never quite became A&M’s rival to the Eagles.  Surprisingly though, was Dillon’s admission that their label was accommodating to the band’s wishes, never once hounding them to get out on the road and change their style.

Now, more than 30 years later, Dillon, along with original members, Mike “Supe” Granda and Steve Cash, are all in a self-confessed “semi-retirement,” with other activities taking up the majority of their time. They are, as Dillon related, blessed enough to pick and choose where and when they perform. It is, however, the River Valley that is blessed with the chance to see the band perform some of the greatest songs ever produced in America. 

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils play on the Main Stage at 7:45 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15.