Lou Monte - Early Career

Early Career

Monte developed a following playing clubs in and around the New Jersey area. When World War II broke out, Monte had to put his career on hold and enlisted in the Army. When he was discharged, he started his club date schedule and caught the attention of radio station WAAT AM in Newark, New Jersey. Seeing a potential in Monte, they gave him a shot with his own radio show. The show gave him a chance to refine his act and soon caught on big with the listeners. The radio station rewarded him by convincing their TV outlet to give him a try as well.

With this, he was able to make a couple of recordings on local labels. Joe Carlton was an A&R man for RCA Victor Records and heard the Italian minstrel performing in a spaghetti joint south of Secaucus. He liked Monte's singing style with the way he accompanied himself on the guitar. He offered him a contract with RCA Victor which lasted seven years. Joe Carlton would go on to start Carlton Records.