Daredevils the featured entertainers at July 4 Freedom Fest
GENTRY — The July 4 Freedom Festival in Gentry’s city park is less than a month away and promises some top-notch entertainment.
The featured entertainment for the celebration will be the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, a band which has been around since the group began playing in Springfield, Mo., in 1971.
According to the band’s website, the group “included musicians Larry Lee, Steve Cash, Michael Supe Granda, John Dillon, Buddy Brayfield and Randle Chowning. In the beginning, they called themselves the Family Tree, then Burlap Socks and then the Emergency Band. But finally, in a nod to Commander Cody who was one of their musical heroes, they settled on the catchy moniker of Cosmic Corncob & His Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils — The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, for short.
The website states that “the Ozark Mountain Daredevils have been aptly described as ‘a ragtag collection of hippies, bohemians and musicians of no fixed ambition.’ They have always been indefinable in terms of music genres, producing sounds of country-rock and electric bluegrass all on the same record — writing lyrics both whimsical and poetic, singing harmonies that would send shivers up your spine.”
Current band members include John Dillon, Steve Cash, Michael Supe Granda, Bill Jones, Ruell Chappell, Ron Gremp, Dave Painter, Kelly Brown, Nick Sibley and Molly Healy.
“Since their early beginnings in 1971, the Daredevils have released a number of major label and independent record label recordings, traveled millions of miles performing throughout North America and Europe, and they continue to grow and maintain a loyal and dedicated fan base throughout the world. Their songs are regularly played on Classic radio stations and, of course, songs like ‘If You Wanna Get To Heaven,’ ‘Jackie Blue,’ ‘Chicken Train,’ ‘Standing On The Rock,’ and countless others are still fan favorites across all media.”
“Their current lineup of talented musicians allows the band to perform songs from every corner of their vast catalog, and they continue to delight Dareheads with their live performances. With three of the original co-founders still on board, their signature sound and style remain intact and vibrant. The newest Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ album, ‘Off The Beaten Path’ (2017), is their first studio recording since 1997. Co-produced with band member Nick Sibley, its 16 new songs offer solid proof of their nonstop evolution as songwriters and musicians.”
Other bands on the bill for July 4 are the Kaylin Cripps Band, The Dawn Cates Band, Healey & Cardwell and Mark Shields & the Diablos. Also, to be on hand July 4 will be Marshall Mitchell and his cowboy songs for kids.
A complete schedule of entertainers and stage times will be published when it becomes available.
The festival will begin at noon on July 4 and continue through the fireworks display at dusk. The day will feature a variety of booths and activities, entertainment, inflatable rides for children, Safari animals, pageants and more.