Copyright © 2005
Nancy Beard
All rights reserved

'Combat Zone'

First Road Gig at age 18, Boston, Mass.

Ron MacDonald and Jack Casady on a Guild 500 Guitar...
This was Jack 'before' he ever started playing Bass!
 

Left to Right: Ron MacDonald (vocals), Danny Gatton (guitar), Ernie Gorospe (bass), Jerry Wallmark (drums), Dick Heintze (organ), John Broaddus (tenor sax). Photo taken Norwood Recording Studios.

First Recording on Norwood Record Label

'Beggarman' Side A  -  'Trouble In Mind' Side B

Left to Right: Dick Heintze, John Brodus, Ron MacDonald, Jerry Wallmark, Ernie Grospe, Danny Gatton

Excerpt from 'Capitol Rock'
by Mark Opsasnick

The Offbeats had experienced some personnel changes and when Gatton arrived, the new lineup consisted of regulars Gorospe (now on bass), Broaddus, and Wallmark, along with newcomers Gatton, and two members from the Tenleytown section of Northwest Washington who had played in the Triumphs, organist, Dick Heintze and lead singer Ron MacDonald.
In 1960 and 1961 this edition of the Offbeats branched out and began playing nightclubs like Stricks, the Log Cabin in Virginia, the Rocket Room, and the Starlite. In 1962 and 1963 the band had many talented musicians pass through, including bass player Jack Casada, and constantly switched members on and off. A favorite job during this period was at the Champagne Room at 1304 F Street NW, where their live performances were broadcast every Friday night over radio station WEAM. In 1961 the Offbeats even recorded a single on Norwood Records, "Beggar Man", backed with "Trouble In Mind". This single marks the first time Danny Gatton was captured on vinyl.   

Excerpts from book
 'Unfinished Business'
'The Life & Times of
DANNY GATTON'

  The Offbeats carried on in their low-key fashion from 1961 to 1964. The band cut its first record for its members' reference only: according to Wallmark, the songs were instrumental renditions of the country standard "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" backed with "Rainbow Rock". Vocalist, Ronnie MacDonald joined shortly afterwards, and the band made another single with a Ray Haney tune. "Beggar-Man" and a cover of the country-blues weeper "Trouble In Mind" (later covered by piano pounder Jerry Lee Lewis). The 45's were recorded at Washington's Edgewood and Norwood studios, respectively, and scarcely saw much action, even around the local area: (Capitol Rock dates the "Beggar-Man" single to 1961, while other sources cite the year as 1962.)

                                                                         Washington Post
            

Top Left to Right: Ian Woods (base), Steve Goff (drums), Bob Farris (guitar), Ron MacDonald (front man), Aundres Plavinacts (guitar & vocals)

                                                                               TORONTO CANADA    

 Ernie Fields - World Famous Entertainer  &  Writer of Million Seller Hit 'Some Kind of Wonderful' (Grand Funk).  Ron and Ernie toured together  throughout the United States and Europe. A relationship that endures today. Be on the Look-Out for New Television Variety Show with Ron MacDonald,  produced by Ernie Fields            (Studio VEE)

News Flash!!!

Ron MacDonald & Ernie Fields have just completed their new 'Access To Local Entertainment' television show. Now being broadcast on various Montgomery County television stations. Web Videos coming soon!

Andris Plavnieks (guitar & vocals), Rick Davis (drums), Dick Heintze (keys), Tom Haller (bass) and Ron (vocals)

Ron