Maybe you've noticed that I've grown quite fond of the 1970s rock-country-bluegrass band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. It's also very possible that you have no idea what I'm talking about.
Either way, there's a backstory to share about this “ragtag collection of hippies, bohemians, and musicians of no fixed ambition" from my hometown of Springfield, MO.
I remember hearing the song "Jackie Blue" when I was a teenager, and I thought it was cool that my name was in it. It didn't take much to excite me back then.
The only other Ozark Mountain Daredevils song I knew was "If You Wanna Get to Heaven" because it was one of my late uncle's favorite songs. So yeah, I basically knew nothing about them.
Fast forward 20ish years ...
Shortly after I closed on my house last August, I read a Facebook post about the home's history by a friend of mine, Richard Crabtree (a local historian and realtor). I was intrigued by everything he said, but one thing in particular caught my eye:
Granted, I didn't know much about their music, but the idea of the band practicing in my basement in the '70s seemed pretty cool. But I soon forgot about it because I was hyper-focused on getting my new house in order.
Back in the spring, I went to one of my favorite flea markets, Timeless Treasures. It's filled with random junk and treasures (timeless, even). But really, I love that place.
I stepped into a booth with many old records in it ... even though I had lost interest in buying them for quite some time. But for whatever reason, I decided to look.
ACTUALLY, there was a reason. I thought to myself ... "maybe I'll find an Ozark Mountain Daredevils album. That might be cool since they have a connection to my house."
Well, let's say that I found their second album, It'll Shine When It Shines, and it was a sealed copy from 1974. I was so excited!
I listened to the record as soon as I got home. All the way through. I instantly loved this album—it was literally perfect from beginning to end. I even listened to it twice.
Then, I listened to it again the following day while mowing the yard— this time with my AirPods. Lol. I couldn't figure out why I was so into it, but I was.
I quickly fell for all their music. Like ... a lot.
About a month later, I went back to the same flea market. This time, I was on a mission to find their first album. I knew I could buy it from eBay, but I really wanted to see "it in the wild."
Honestly, I figured the odds were pretty small. I looked through the whole place and didn't find it. It's not even a record store, so I'm not sure what I expected to happen.
About 10 minutes before they were getting ready to close, I quickly scanned a booth with a bunch of random stuff and a small box of records.
I am NOT KIDDING when I say that when I quickly flipped through the box of records, I found The Quilt Album toward the back. I freaked out and said something aloud, but I can't remember it.
And just like the other album I found at Timeless Treasures, this one looked brand new.
There were two more records that I wanted to find, and even though I had great luck the last time I was at the flea market, I doubted I would come across them.
Spoiler alert: I found one of them (Don't Look Down) with a "promotional use only" sticker on the front. You really can't make this stuff up.
I've looked for their records at other flea markets, but I have never found one. And I randomly found 4 of their albums in different booths at the same flea market. What kind of sorcery is this?
So, there you have it. I don't know if obsession is the right word, but I feel strongly connected to this band.
And I think it's extremely inspiring that they are still going strong over 50 years later. Many of the members have changed over the years, but two of them remain the same.
If you're wondering, Michael "Supe" Granda is my favorite band member.
If you ever feel like listening to some Ozark Mountain Daredevils records, come over to Portland Street. I really can't think of a better place to do it.
xoxo, Jacki
2024 update: Supe played a solo show in Springfield this spring, and I finally met him. We talked and talked and talked. I could have talked all night. It was a perfect night, indeed!
