Monte Wenger is rocking car shows with the classics

        DJ Monte Wenger of Victor smiles as he plays a tune at a recent car show. Wenger is known throughout the area for being a top DJ at car shows. This year he has booked 17 shows from early June through early October. Submitted photo.

​By J.O. Parker
 
       Monte Wenger slips a CD in the player, grabs the microphone and announces the classic tune as he interacts and entertains the crowd.
         Wenger, owner of Klassic Kar-tunes by Monte, a DJ service based in Victor, has been a fixture at area car shows since 2006.
         It all started that year when a neighbor, Nick Simmons, asked if Wenger would be interested in serving as a DJ at an upcoming car show.
         Simmons, along with a friend, Maynard Weiss, where planning a car show in Victor and they were in a need of a DJ. 
          “We had a good idea of what we wanted to do with our show,” said Simmons. “A good DJ can really help a car show be successful.”
          Simmons knew that Wenger had worked as a DJ for a number of years in Marengo, so he decided to ask if he was available.
         “One day he was driving up the street and I asked if he could DJ our car show,” Simmons said. “He didn’t so no, but said he’d get back to me.”
          Wenger had givin up DJ work in 2000 after about a dozen years, so the offer came as a surprise.
        “Within a few days, he called me back and said he would do it,” recalled Simmons. “Monte didn’t have the equipment, so he took it upon himself to borrow some to use at our show.”
         Simmons said the day of our show came and they were able to pull it off.
       “Monte pretty much orchestrated our show, announcing sponsors and the award winners,” Simmons said. “I believe he has been buying equipment ever since.”
          As his business grew, Wenger came up the business name, Klassic Kar-tunes by Monte.
         “It just popped in my head and I asked friends about the name and they said to go for it,” noted Wenger.
        The business continues to grow in the years since that first show. This year, Wenger has 17 shows booked for 2026. Here’s his current car show itinerary.
        Hartwick Car Show, June 6; Walker Car Show, June 13; Brooklyn Ruritan Club Car Show, June 14; What Cheer Car Show, June 20; Victor Car Show, June 27; Williamsburg Car Show (New), June 28; Marengo Car Show, July 3; Mount Vernon Car Show, July 11; Gilman Car Show (NEW), July 18; Chelsea Car Show, July 25; Ninth Shriners Car Show, Hiawatha (NEW), Aug. 9; Grinnell Vintage Auto Club, Aug. 22; Blairstown Sauerkraut Days Car Show, Sept. 5; Montour Car Show, Sept. 12; Vinton Cruise, Sept. 19 and Montezuma Car Show, Sept. 26. Details of a final show of the season during second weekend of October are currently in the works.
        When asked about his success, Monte, who grew up in Brooklyn, said the key is interacting with car show attendees.
       “I have to read my audience,” noted Wenger. “Each show is very diverse from different interests and ages.”
       He also puts in plugs for local and area sponsors and car show hosts along with handling the awards ceremony and interacting with those who stop to visit.
         “I like  to run the show like a radio DJ,” he said.
         On car show days, Monte arrives at the show about two hours early.
       “I get to the shows at least two hours before registration and do the sound checks because there are always people coming early,” noted Wenger.
          Monte’s music library includes 400 CDs and probably 20,000 songs on a hard drive.
          “That is just guess,” he said.
          He said classic rock and 1970s tunes are his favorite.
          When asked what his favorite part of being a DJ Wenger said it’s the people.
         “I’m a car guy and meeting the people and developing friendships is my favorite part of working as a DJ,” he said.