funny he mentions the Doobies, i saw them as an under bill of the DB's in Buffalo back in the day
Posted on 11/25/2011 8:43:38 PM PST by nickcarraway
Michael ‘Supe’ Granda discusses the 40th anniverisary concert
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils is a band with its root set deep in Drury history with several band members being DU alumni. Bass player Michael ‘Supe" Granda discuses the history of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and their upcoming 40th anniversary concert at Drury. The concert is a sold out event taking place at the O'Reilly Family Event Center on the evening of Friday, Nov. 11.
How did the band start?
It was 1971 in Springfield, Mo. There was a group of us who considered ourselves songwriters as much as, if not more, than musicians. As a songwriter, sometimes it can be frustrating to play someone else's songs. I like the Beatles' songs, I like the Doobie Brothers' songs, I like Nitty Gritty's songs, but that doesn't mean I want to play them.
As songwriters we got together for the sole purpose of playing each other's songs and we stuck to our guns and played only our material. In December of 1971 there weren't a whole lot of people who wanted to hear our songs. Everyone wanted to hear the hits, kind of like today. But we weren't going to do that.
In the beginning it wasn't really financially rewarding to do what we were doing. We saw the band down the street playing the Beatles and the Doobie Brothers songs with a huge crowd and making lots of money. But we had our sights set higher and further down the road. We wanted to make a record. That's what we focused on and we allowed no distractions.
For the first couple of years we would play our songs and no cover material. We would play for our friends who supported us in what we were trying to do. Which was to be songwriters and creative people who wanted to stay true to our songwriting abilities.
How has the band developed in the last four decades? Our music has always been true to itself. We've seen fads come and go. When the disco craze hit, we didn't start writing disco music. When the swing band craze hit, we didn't start writing swing band music. In one sense, our music hasn't changed one bit.
Now it has changed in the fact that as songwriters, we're still good songwriters. And we're still pretty good musicians. After 40 years I like to think we've gotten at least a little better.
Along the same lines, what have you noticed about changes in the music industry during the same time period.
I have good news and bad news for you. You can write a song, record a song, put out the song, sell the song, and get the song out to everyone's home in an afternoon. The downside is that people today have lost a sense of patience. In the 60s, we would hear "Oh, the Beatles record is coming out next month."
We would have to sit there salivating over what we were going to hear. People nowadays have zero patience. Let me spell that for you: Z-E-R-O, patience because of instant download, high speed Internet, YouTube, file sharing. For those of use who have developed senses of patience that's fine until we start dealing with the modern world.
Can you talk a little bit about the relationship, if any, between Drury and the band?
First of all, John Dillon one of our guitar players is a graduate. In the early days, very early days, we played at Drury several times.
I remember one time John and Steve played an outdoor concert. We played at coffeehouses and in Weiser gym. We've played at Drury numerous times over the years. Of course none of those concerts were on as large a scale as concerts at SMS [now MSU]. [Concerts at Drury] have a little more intimate setting and that's fine with us because we've always enjoyed playing smaller theatres and smaller venues. When you play these shows the crowd is usually appreciative and courteous. They listen a lot more and they listen closer.
We have always enjoyed playing Drury because of that fact and we expect that this will be the same. The setting can be a help and an asset to the concert experience. Any final thoughts?
When people come to the show, I don't have to tell our audience this because they want to come have a good time, but I would have to say, "Everybody come and have a good time."
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
My bad...another Ozark band, Black Oak Arkansas did the Jim Dandy gig.
I confess this is the only song of the Ozark MD’s I know, but I’ve always liked it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrbNeOEG0GY
Always got them mixed up with Pure Prairie League.
***It was 1971 in Springfield, Mo. ***
So, were they pro or anti Baldknobber!
I like the “Colorado Song”. You’ve probably heard this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Ab-3W00vo
or this one (first hit, I think):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhRIXv3flXY
E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T Band. Saw them in 1977 at UMR. Here is one of their tunes:
Fly Away on Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxqe2UnasDw
E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T
Aimee, what’s you gonna do?
funny he mentions the Doobies, i saw them as an under bill of the DB's in Buffalo back in the day
Went to one of their concerts. Back in the very late 1970’s.
This was a big show now, the Muskogee State Fair, in Muskogee OK. It was to take place at the Thunderbird Speedway adjacent to the fair. This was a very important racetrack halfway between Tulsa and Fort Smith Arkansas. We’re talking major gate receipts now, probably topping a thousand dollars.
Well, the Daredevils didn’t show.
What a sweet time in music. Living in a small town, there wasn’t a whole lot to do but ‘ride around’ and get together (with a keg or 2) at the river. Ozark Mountain Daredevils got alot of play along with The Outlaws (as in Waylon, Willie, Tom Paul Glaser & Jessie Colter), Peter Frampton, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band...you get the idea. So much great music back then; alot of ‘Country Rock’.
Thanks for posting...brought back some great times.
They accidentally turned left at Albuquerque.
Black Oak, Arkansas is in the Delta, far from any mountains.
I still like jackie Blue.It has a line “everyday in your indigo eyes” which I always liked because I do have that color of eyes.:)
Try a little: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WZNOaKbYtA
Their first LP was a butt-kicker, in ‘73. But Jackie Blue was the best commercial hit.
Oh wow...OMD!
Fantastic songs. Leatherwood. Country Girl..
I definitely give them a 95 because they have a good beat and you can dance to it....
:]
A trip down memory lane...
Great Band
I have loved them forever & have one of their CD’s in my car. I can’t believe this because I was just thinking about them the other day, wondering what they were up to. We have a friend who is a professor at Drury & were talking about him last night.
You made my day w/ this post, I only wish I could go to their concert.
That’s all folks
What about the band...do they still perform around there anymore?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.