Michael Kuelker on The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Today, the spotlight shines on author and educator Michael Kuelker, here to talk about his recent book, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils On Record: A Narrative Discography. Michae is a teacher, writer, and reggae radio DJ in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils are an American rock group who first formed in 1972. Hailing from Springfield, Missouri, the band had two major hits, "If You Wanna Get to Heaven" from their debut album in 1974 and a certified smash, "Jackie Blue" from their 1975 follow-up.
Michael’s book uses the framework of their discography as the scaffolding on which to hang not only over 50 years of their story, but to go back further to describe the music and cultural scenes of the Ozark region as well as the various threads of the music business and cultural industries that the band buffeted against over the years. It is a unique mode of storytelling, one worth reading and applying to other artists and scenes.
Michael joined us to talk about his work on the book and to give us some insight into the band and the world they developed in.
Host Lawrence Peryer
More Spotlight On.
Find more great podcasts from Osiris Media, the leading storyteller in music.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michael Kuelker
Author
Michael Kuelker is a teacher, writer, and reggae radio DJ in St. Louis, Missouri. His new book is The Ozark Mountain Daredevils on Record: A Narrative Discography, a work based on more than 50 hours of oral history with band members and insiders about the music across the Daredevils' 50-years-and-running career.
Kuelker edited and published Book of Memory: A Rastafari Testimony (2005), the memoir of Jamaican Rastafari elder Prince Elijah Williams. His immersion in reggae and Jamaican culture have led him to co-host "Positive Vibrations" on KDHX 88.1 FM, a 43,000 watt independent radio station in St. Louis, from 1997 to present.
Kuelker is Professor (Emeritus) of English at St. Charles Community College, where for the last 22 years he has organized a four-day annual educational forum called SCC Democracy Days.
The book launch for The Ozark Mountain Daredevils on Record took place on Sept. 8, 2022, at The Cellar nightclub in Springfield, Missouri, where the band formed in late 1971 and where they are still based. Kuelker was accompanied by John Dillon and Supe Granda, two founding (and present) members of the OMD, for the signing. The book is being sold at independent outlets in the Midwest and through OMDonRecord.com.
Greatest Hits
Wondering where to start or where to go next? Check out some of our most-listened-to episodes.
Andy McCluskey: kicking down fascist art with OMD
The Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark frontman chats about art movements, political treachery, Kraftwerk's impact, and the brilliant album Bauhaus Staircase.
David J: unearthing tracks from the attic
The Bauhaus and Love and Rockets bassist chats with guest host Michael Donaldson about lighting candles, the magic(k) muse, touring with Jane's Addiction, and the album collecting his early demos, Tracks From The Attic.
Hainbach: crafting soundscapes from forgotten relics
Experimental musician, YouTube personality, and excavator of rare, electronic sound-making artifacts — Hainbach delivers a fascinating look into his prolific musical activities.
Ibrahim Maalouf: a conversation on harmony, heritage, and hope
The trumpet virtuoso talks about his father's inspiration, the Middle East's influence on symphonic music, how Bach and Mozart were punks, and the ideas behind his album Capacity To Love.
That Petrol Emotion
Today, the spotlight shines on the wildly influential post-punk group, That Petrol Emotion. Guitarist and songwriter Raymond Gorman and lead singer Steve Mack joined Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer to mark the release of th...
David Rodriguez talks community, culture, and his work with NJPAC
With the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, David creates musical milestones in Newark, NJ, and beyond.
Diana Pasulka: a religious study of UFOs and nonhuman intelligences
With her books Encounters and American Cosmic, religious studies professor Diana Pasulka explores the modern edges of belief.
Dominic Miller
The ECM Records artist and Sting's longtime guitarist takes a seat in the Spotlight.
Michael Kuelker on The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Today, the spotlight shines on author and educator Michael Kuelker, here to talk about his recent book, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils On Record: A Narrative Discography . Michae is a teacher, writer, and reggae radio DJ in St...
John Barry on Levon Helm
Writer John Barry joins us on the podcast to talk his new book, "Levon Helm: Rock, Roll & Ramble—The Inside Story of the Man, the Music and the Midnight Ramble." Ringo wrote the foreword, and Roger Waters, Graham Nash and …
Steve Kimock
Steve Kimock talking about the new Zero reissue of “Naught Again” and finding the Grateful Dead scene
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley Mason, CBE (born 27 January 1944) is an English drummer and founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. He is the only member to feature on every Pink Floyd album, and the only constant member s...
Grahame Lesh
Based in the musical hotbed of Marin County, California, Grahame Lesh is a guitar player and singer-songwriter for Midnight North, Phil Lesh & Friends, & the Terrapin Family Band. A mainstay in the scene centered around Terra...