I caught up with Monte Belmonte during Monte's Campout for Cancer Connection at the old, historic courthouse in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts. Lucky for him, it was an unusually warm, beautiful, and sunny St Patrick's Day. He sat on the courthouse steps looking Daughtry with his faded blue jeans, dark sunglasses, and shiny head. I spent some time getting to know Monte as we talked about his career in radio and involvement with Cancer Connection in Florence, Massachusetts.
Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Christopher Belmote, better known as Monte Belmonte, is the morning radio host and Program Director for WRSI 93.9, The River in Northampton, Massachusetts, and a good one at that. He has a dry and often sappy sense of humor that can't help but make one smile. In addition to great song selection, Monte never fails to offer up intriguing interviews about local residences and businesses. Monte considers himself to be a true New Englander! He loves the Boston Red Soxs. He loves the New England Patriots and he loves the changing seasons and artiness that living in New England brings.
Cancer Connection and Monte's Campout for Cancer Connection
Both Monte and The River have done much to support and give back to our local communities through The Riverlution and various fundraising projects such as this year's campout for the Cancer Connection in Florence, Massachusetts. Cancer Connection is a place where those living with cancer, their families, and caregivers can go , free of charge, to share strategies and resources to help them better cope with the physical and emotional changes they are struggling with. In addition, Cancer Connection offers many programs, workshops, and support groups geared towards reducing stress and enriching the lives of all those affected by cancer. Cancer Connection is an independent, non-profit organization that does not receive money from the federal government, rather they depend on voluntary contributions from people and other business organizations.
For the past several years, Monte has picked an unfavorably, cold time of year to go camping, an activity he despises, in order to raise money for Cancer Connection. Monte's ploy is to get radio listeners and passerbys to donate to his cause so that he may raise enough money to free himself from the misery and confinement of a hollow tent and damp sleeping bag. This year marked the 4th year of Monte's Campout for Cancer Connection. The goal was to raise $20,000. Thanks to the efforts, care, and generosity of individuals and businesses throughout the valley and surrounding areas, the money was raised in less that two days. Incredible!
For the small amount of time I sat speaking with Monte, the out pour of community support I experienced was enormous ! People were coming in from off the street waving twenty dollar bills in their hands, bringing food and beverages, and thanking The River for their fundraising efforts to support Cancer Connection. At one point, Ladder 1 from the Northampton Fire Department even showed up with with donations as well ! However, what moved me the most while I was there was a woman named Nina and her six year old son, Sam who has leukemia. Nina wheeled Sam up in his stroller to where we were sitting at the bottom of the courthouse steps. Sam looked like a little leprechaun, all decked out in green to celebrate the holiday . He only had a few strands left from what once was a head full of blond hair. He looked up at Monte with gorgeous, bright and shiny, blue eyes, handed him a donation, and said " Cancer is a BIG mess " . Nina told us about how the Cancer Connection was helping her and her family and about an art class she was taking there. All the while, as she was speaking, I was admiring both their strength, finding it hard to imagine what it would be like if one of my own children had cancer. As she was existing down the walkway, Monte turned to me and said, "The Cancer Connection is a touching organization to me.....this is why I do this...".
More on Monte Belmonte
When I asked Monte about how he got into radio, he replied: "Most people in radio are either failed comedians or failed musicians and I'm kind of in the failed musician aspect of things". While Monte was in collage studying theology, he got into music. First as a drummer in a band, then a guitarist, and then lead vocalist. However, as much as he loved performing and music, he knew this just wasn't his forte. Stuck, he had no idea of what he wanted to do with his life until his mother-in-law suggested he be a radio disc jockey. After all, he was good at talking with people and loved music...Seemed a good fit. He applied for an internship at a radio station in Haverhill, Massachusetts and got it. Shortly after, during the 2000 presidential election, Monte was goofing around with an Al Gore impersonation off the air. On election day, the station decided to put Monte on the air to do his bit. The election ended up dragging on and so Monte was asked to continued with his impersonation. He received a great reception from listeners and, when the election was over, Monte was hired for a job at the station. "... If it wasn't for the botched election in 2000, I might not be in radio today", he adds.
Monte doesn't have a favorite color nor does he have a favorite musician. " They are all great, but some are really terrible"...he says. I asked him to give me some local , New England artist he enjoys and he rattled off: Johnathan Richman, Rusty Bell, who he says is like "Tom Waites with a girl lead singer" , and Swing Caravan, which is a " sorta gypsy, jazz band".
In closing, he recited, like poetry, the lyrics from Johnathan Richman's classic song, New England, to me:
"I've been all around the world~But I love New England best~ I might be prejudice~But, it's true~ I love New England best"
Special thanks from All Things New England to Monte Belmonte, 93.9 The River, and Cancer Connection for all that they do and their efforts to giving back to people and communities.
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Written By : Jessica Layne
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