From California State University, San Bernardino

The Working Poets perform classic pop, rock and country music and NOT POETRY!

If you were thinking about heading to your favorite neighborhood coffee house to hear sonnets set to the sound of bongos forget it! Yes the name might fool you, but these three musicians are no joke when it comes to playing straight forward All American Music!

The Working Poets are a three piece band that started in 2006 based out of Apple Valley California. The band consists of Rob McLeod on guitar/vocals, Michael Cappetta on bass, harmonica, and vocals, and Kevin O'Neal on drums, percussion and vocals. "The Working Poets" name is a simple play on words. Rob  who named the band feels it is a synopsis of what all musicians want to be. They want to work and play entertaining music which in turn makes a crowd happy. According to Kevin O'Neal, "Many musicians are out of work so we are very lucky to be working musicians or poets who play instruments. We wanted to establish ourselves as working musicians so Rob coined the name."

The Working Poets appeal to all genres and age groups with their three-part harmony vocals that make the music sound full and alive. They perform a variety of music but primarily play pop rock from the 1950's-1980's with over 160 songs in their repertoire. Performing all over Southern California and Nevada the band has also played at Redland's Market Night, Victoria Gardens, Numerous Car Shows, Casinos and Summer Concert Series and are set for another round of Night Club, Concert Series and Fair performances in 2011!

The Working Poet's have two CD's out "Live at the American Music Festival" debuted in January 2010 followed by "Back to the Classics Live II" in January of 2011! Kevin O'Neal also has a solo album available through Amazon.com, Itunes, and Napster.

BAND BIOS

Rob McLeod:

Lead Vocals/Lead Electric & Acoustic Guitars

A resident of Victorville California since 1965…Rob is a seasoned professional guitar player, who is always in demand. Besides playing with “The Working Poets” a band which Rob named by the way, he is constantly called upon to sit in and guest with other local and regional bands. Rob was bitten by the music fever in his 7th grade art class party. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s version of Good Golly Miss Molly was playing. That was the moment I was stung, smitten with the music bug at age 12 and I'm still at it. “Music is my passion to give; it’s my dance in life”. “I want to keep putting it out there, that it may stir the listener’s own unique passion in life”. Rob is also an accomplished song writer, who likes to play acoustic solo performances as well as with The Working Poets. Rob also owns his own construction business and remodels homes.  

Kevin O'Neal:

 Vocals/Drums & Percussion/Rhythm Acoustic & Electric Guitars/Keyboards & Sound Design

Kevin moved to Apple Valley California in 1996 from Birmingham Alabama where he was a disc jockey at Magic 96, one of Alabama’s most prestigious radio stations. He is now the Production Director at the Highway Stations in Barstow. Kevin loved to watch his high schools marching band, do their marching routines every afternoon after school when he was a kid growing up in Portales New Mexico. One day he decided to ask if he could be in the band, and even though he didn’t play anything. He was accepted, and learned how to play the Trombone, and did indeed get to march in the band, and continued to do so into college. Kevin has played the drums for 35 years and has played in several touring bands. Kevin also plays the guitar, bass and piano and has a recording studio in his home, where he records and produces a multitude of voice over projects for radio and television, and music projects including, his own solo albums. 

Michael Cappetta:

 Vocals/Bass & Harmonica

Michael got his start in the music industry while growing up in Redondo Beach California in the 1960s. Michael played with a group called “The Scuzzies” which included his sister Suzie and Brother Robert and 2 cousins. The Scuzzies charted a regional Top 40 hit in 1965 and even had a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Flavor named after them. In 1973, Michael, Suzie and Robert became "The Cappetta Company". As "The Cappetta Company", the trio performed "LIVE" music sets on the radio which were broadcast on KGBS-FM from the Star Theater at Universal Studios in Hollywood, and headlined in major hotels, restaurants, and night clubs throughout the 80's and early 90's. Michael has also worked in radio as an on air disc jockey and has a voice that is still in demand for many radio commercials as well as singing projects. Michael is an accomplished bass player and harmonica player and  joined “The Working Poets” in March 2007.