Donnie "Gonto" Copelli
Vocals - Rhythm Guitar - Lyrics, Latrobe, PA

I started playing in the early 80s writing my own music rather than learning other bands material. My first public appearance was a solo in the very early 90s at a small night club called The 19th Hole in Latrobe, PA. My influences are Ronnie James Dio, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and every other band that really rocks! The band name "Gonto" comes from a nickname given to me by an old friend who called me " The DemoGonto Man".

Curt Burkholder
Lead Guitar, Delmont, PA

I started playing guitar in the late 70s to go on and play with numerous cover bands throughout the years only to take a break from playing covers to pursue a more original direction. My influences include such bands as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rush and Van Halen. I was approached by Erich and Artie to join Gonto in 2000, from then the rest is history and the future is wide open.

Erich Bucholtz
Bass, Latrobe, PA

I have been a Pro Audio Engineer/Producer for nearly 30 years starting in the 70s and since then working with a wide variety of National and Semi-National Acts and Touring the US still to this day. My influences go back to the 60s, credited to my father who was a guitar player, from his love of music, I started playing guitar at an early age. My influences would be Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Who just to name a few. After working with Gonto as producer since 1990, and the lack of dedicated musicians in our area, my role with the band advanced to Producer/Bassist in the mid 90s. By the year 2000, Gonto as it is today was born.

Artie Lapka
Drums, Crabtree, PA

My love of music started when I was young, with my aunt listening to early country music like Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. Then along came the Beatles on February 9, 1964 appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. This was the start of my rock - n - roll obsession. I was introduced to Donnie (Gonto) after listening to a tape played for me by Erich in the early 90s, and asked to join the band in 1995. This version of the band has been together since the year of 2000. Our various ages and influences makes us a very unique band, which I consider one of the best bands you haven’t heard.