This is an archived page from 2023. Find out more
New England Public Media has hired local radio personality Monte Belmonte as host and executive producer of a new radio show and podcast celebrating life in western Massachusetts.
Belmonte comes to New England Public Media from 93.9 The River/WRSI, where he’s hosted “Mornings with Monte” since 2006. The new show and podcast will launch later this winter.
“When you listen to Monte Belmonte, you hear not only a great host with a devotion to his craft, but also a person who is committed to building and bolstering his community,” said NEPM President Matt Abramovitz, who came to NEPM in February 2022. “Sharing the unique voices and stories of our region and using the airwaves for the common good is what public media is all about. We are excited to have Monte bring his enthusiasm and love of western Massachusetts to NEPM each day.”
Belmonte will be joined by Kaliis Smith, who also comes to NEPM from The River where she hosted weekday evenings and was a regular guest on “Mornings with Monte.” Smith will be the show’s digital producer and will join Belmonte on air. Belmonte plans to bring some of his regular guests and popular segments to the live, daily program, along with new segments and opportunity for regular audience call-ins. The show will be available as a podcast and on YouTube. Belmonte will also have a presence at NEPM events and other station initiatives.
“I’ve been a huge fan of New England Public Media since I moved west of Worcester 20 years ago,” said Belmonte. “The station’s trusted reputation and broad reach was a big draw for me, as was the opportunity to work alongside people I’ve known and admired for years. I’m excited to get to work building a new show that’s all about celebrating what’s good about living here, meeting interesting neighbors and being a better community because of it.”
“Monte will help us to meet the expressed desire of our audience for additional local content,” said Tony Dunne, NEPM’s director of content and longtime executive producer of the TV show “Connecting Point,” who will lead the team. “This new show will be a space where you and your friends and neighbors can get together and share your love of life here in western Mass. I can’t think of anyone better to take us on this journey than Monte. He has a gift for connecting us all through his humor, wit, and compassion.”