Relive Ozark Mountain Daredevils 1973 Live Performance Of “Chicken Train”

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils included the song “Chicken Train” on their first self-titled album, which was released in 1973. This Steve Cash’s composition failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 list after its release, but it did remain popular throughout the decade.

American rock band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils first established their status in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972, and gained recognition with the release of the single “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” in 1974, and later with the release of “Jackie Blue” in 1975. Michael Granda’s book “It Shined” claims that the name was derived from Cosmic Corn Cob & His Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils, a name John Dillon came up with during a Kansas City “naming party” when they were informed that their prior moniker, “Family Tree,” was already in use. Since no one in the band wanted to be known as “Cosmic Corn Cob” and they didn’t want to imitate the naming style of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, they abbreviated the name. (Modafinil)

“Chicken Train” was featured on their debut album, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (commonly known as The Quilt Album), which was released in December 1973. The album also produced their first Top 30 hit, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven,” in the summer of 1974. Many of the band’s longtime listeners consider this album to be the definitive representation of the band’s genre-bending sound.

Listen to the band’s performance of “Chicken Train” back in 1973 below.