Ozarks Public Television’s (OPT) newest locally produced documentary, “The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – Backstage” will premiere at 8 p.m. June 30.

The 90-minute presentation explores the band’s rich 50-year history from early days as a “a ragtag collection of hippies, bohemians and musicians of no fixed ambition” to their international recording success with chart-topping hits such as “Jackie Blue” and “If You Wanna Get to Heaven.”

Through concert footage, archival images, interviews with band members and music from the band’s expansive eight-album catalogue, “The Ozark Mountain Daredevils-Backstage” tells the story of how a group of Springfield artists, with voices that produced harmonies often compared to the Beatles and the Eagles, became firmly established as one of the most iconic rock bands of the 1970s music era.

“The story of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils is multifaceted, from the band’s formation, their lyric writing, the vocal harmonies that led to national and international success, and their continued perseverance and popularity for 50 years,” said Brent Slane, OPT program producer. “It’s a journey that we are pleased to deliver for fans old and new alike.”

“The Ozarks has an abundance of musical talent, from local bluegrass jams to community theater,” said Rachel Knight, OPT general manager. “And yet, it’s not every day that a local band hits it big across the country and on the international stage. That is a story worth telling with depth and detail and we’re honored to do just that.”

“The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – Backstage” premieres at 8 p.m. June 30 on Ozarks Public Television’s main channel and re-airs July 3. The documentary will be available to stream on video.optv.org on July 1 and DVD copies of the program will be available for purchase around the end of July.