The Ozark Empire Fair starts this week.  The summer party is known to bring in musical entertainment that's appealing to different generations.  On August 5th the sounds of the 1970's will come to life with music that was born in the Ozarks.  And we caught up with a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils as he prepares to step into the spotlight again.
   
You may not know their names, but chances are you know the music of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.   The group exploded onto the charts back in the 1970's from right here in Springfield.
More than 30 years later, founding member Randle Chowning can still make the music.   He remembers the early days when the group was shot into stardom.

"Eventually we had some record people come in and hear us, in Kansas City. And that's how we got the record deal. Which led to Hollywood, and London, which eventually led to a couple of hit songs" says Chowning.

Songs like 'Jackie Blue', and 'If You Want To Get To Heaven' on which Randle sang lead vocals.

"Initially I was on the first three albums, part of the fourth. Jackie blue was our biggest single" says Chowning.

And Chowning has the gold records to back up that success.  Even Paul McCartney himself showed off his love for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.  But ironically, the group didn't start out with the name that provided its claim to fame.

"It started out as 'Cosmic Corncob and his Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils'. So we shortened it down to Ozark Mountain Daredevils which is still a long name.

Chowning will bring the daredevil sounds back to life at the Ozark Empire Fair this year.  He believes the sounds of the 1970's deliver a beat that people still love to hear.  

"Classic rock is hard to beat.  Because it's a hybrid.  A hybrid of different styles.  You know it's got everything in there" says Chowning.

While the daredevils themselves may look a little different these days, Chowning says their spirits are strong.  So don't count a comeback out.

"Hopefully we're going to do what you might call reunion shows" says Chowning.

A little known fact about the daredevils is that Steve Martin once opened for the group in Lubbock Texas.   It was 1974, before Martin hit it big, and he played the banjo to warm up the crowd.
   
If you want to see Chowning in action he'll be on the grandstand stage at the Ozark Empire Fair next Wednesday August 5th.   The show starts at 8:00pm and tickets are $10 to $15.