Monte first gained notoriety in 1999 in Austin, Tx, when as a relatively unknown talent he delivered a jaw-dropping live performance on an episode of the PBS series Austin City Limits. He has been named one of the "Top 50 All-Time Greatest Guitar Players" by Guitar Player Magazine, has won the "Best Acoustic Guitar Player" Award at the Austin Chronicle's Austin Music Awards seven years in a row.

Currently and for the last 9 seasons, Monte is the composer/creator of music for the FOX TV series Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen.

In 2008, Monte also appeared on Live From Daryl's House with Hall and Oates frontman, Daryl Hall.