False Alarm! Shmonty’s Staying!

A few weeks ago we reported that Eric Ashmont, better known as Shmonty in the Morning on Arizona Lotus Alternative KFMA (Rock 102.1)/Tucson, would be leaving at the end of March and relocating to the DC area as his wife accepted a major employment opportunity. The search for his replacement was already well underway when the station announced yesterday Shmonty would, in fact be staying on at KFMA… via remote from his new home in Rockville, MD, ably aided by his longtime producer/co-host, Beef Vegan, who will take on a more… pardon the pun… beefed-up role in Tucson. Shmonty will still fly back to Tucson several times a year to do the show live and help host the station’s signature Music Festivals, Fall Ball and KFMA-Day.

OM Larry Mac said, “I’m very excited that with today’s technology we don’t have to lose this great talent, and a great guy! He can be with his wife on the east coast, and we will still have him waking Tucson with Beef every morning on Rock 102.1. I was saddened that it looked like he had to leave, just as the show was starting to find its groove as a team, and with the ratings! I’m grateful that our GM Ken Kwilosz and Engineer Scott Fregoso found a way to make this work! I’m very excited for the future of the show!”

A visibly excited Shmonty remarked, “Thank you to Ken Kwilosz and Larry Mac for this opportunity and believing in the show. I’m excited to continue working with my partner-in-crime, Beef Vegan and to contribute to the ongoing success of KFMA from my home in Rockville, MD.”