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Ronald
Stackman...
Born in
Rochester NY during the mid 1950s.
Began playing violin at age 7, moved
on up to Trumpet lessons at age 9 thru High
School.
Played
in the School Band, & later moved over to bass
in the Jazz Band. Self taught in song writing,
starting at age 16.
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1960s:
Favorite Bands
include Sam & Dave, Four Tops, Booker T &
the MG's, Wilson Pickett, Beach Boys, Dylan,
Beatles, Stones.
Late
1960s: Started
playing in Rock bands.
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Early
1970s: First reggae
records discovered are the Wailers - "Catch a Fire"
& "Natty Dread".
Fave 1970s
bands include: Miles Davis,
U-Roy, Lee Perry & Upsetters, Burning Spear,
Wailers, XTC, King Sunny Ade, George Jones,
Steeleye Span.
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1973:
co-founded Bahama Mama, as lead singer and
keyboardist, widely recognised as one of the first
white-reggae bands in America. Performed up &
down East Coast between 1973 and 1979, focusing on
writing good songs with roots sensibiltiies,
blurring the line between Rock and Reggae.
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Bahama
Mama releases 2 singles:
"Lonesome Cowboy / Upstate Skank"
& "Hurricane / Future Fear" and an
album:
"Bahama Mama Live".
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1979:
Bahama Mama breaks up. Ron soon forms a 3 piece
roots power trio - the Majestics, playing Hammond
B-3 & guitar with former band mates, Lou
LaVilla (drums), & Jim Schwarz (bass).
Eventually added Rudy Valentino (guitar), &
Brother James (percussion).
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1981:
Having seen a live video of the Majestics as a 3
piece, legendary eccentric producer / reggae artist
Lee Scratch Perry immediately enlists them as his
backing band, resulting in their slot opening for
the Clash's legendary stint at Bonds in Times Sq,
NYC.
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1982:
They continue
working with Scratch, eventually traveling to
Jamaica to record his "Mystic Miracle Star" album
at Dynamic Studios. A song from the record is
featured in John Sayle's cult-hit movie 'The
Brother from Another Planet'.
Ron & Lee
Perry at Dynamic.
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1983:
Majestics
release the EP - 'Future Now'
The Majestics
continue to grow in popularity, playing the
Northeast extensively on their own, as well as
tours supporting Burning Spear, and opening a
series of shows for Peter Tosh.
Ron & Rudy
tune up.
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Mid-1980s: The
Majestics dissolve with Ron settling in to play
with local bar faves - The Park Ave Band.
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1990s:
Ron goes back
to band leader by forming Big Roots, a 9-piece big
band performing Roots-Reggae with full-blown
instrumentaion & arrangements in the classic
vein. They record & release the album, "Live
and Direct"
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1994:
Ron buys a
house with a very big lawn. 
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2000:
Big Roots
breaks up. After a brief relaxation break, Ron
returns to song writing in the back room studio of
his house, where he eventually begins recording. As
songs develop, he invites friends to contribute
ideas & performances to the project.
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Late 2003:
Finishes
recording & mixing what will become his first
solo album - "Music from Big Lawn".
Winter
2004: "Music from
Big Lawn" released on BonaFide Records.
Summer
2004: live shows
planned.
Back...
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