After seventeen years hosting mornings at Saga Communications AAA “93.9 & 101.5 The River” WRSI Turners Falls MA and WRSY Marlboro/Brattleboro VT, Christopher ‘Monte’ Belmonte hosted his final show in the timeslot this morning.

Belmonte, who succeeded Rachel Maddow in mornings at WRSI, told WWLP-TV that he wants to try something new now that he’s in his mid-40’s. The Daily Hampshire Gazette states that he will continue appearing on the station in a different capacity that he is currently keeping as a surprise. Belmonte began hosting mornings at WRSI in January 2006 after first joining the station in 2002. He also currently serves as Operations Manager for Saga’s Northampton MA cluster and Program Director of “Pure Oldies 96.9/100.5” 1520 WIZZ/100.5 W263DE Greenfield and 96.9 W245BK Amherst/WLZX-HD3 Northampton and Liberal Talk 1400 WHMP/101.5 W268CZ Northampton and 1240 WHMQ Greenfield. He also serves as Board President of the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls and is a contributor to the Judge John Hodgman podcast.

Saga has begun the search for Belmonte’s successor in mornings.

Since signing on in 1981, the personalities, music, and format at @River939 have been as unique and diverse as the Pioneer Valley thta the station serves. From Buddy Rubbish to Rachel @Maddow to @MonteBelmonte, take a look back at storied history of WRSI. pic.twitter.com/lo6qgJMVCl

— Connecting Point on NEPM (@CPonNEPM) September 26, 2021