A New Spin for Host of Country Music Show : KPCC disc jockey Rene Engel helps kick off a summer concert series at the pier that also will feature jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and the blues.

SANTA MONICA —  Country music fans may be familiar with Santa Monica resident Rene Engel, a disc jockey on KPCC. But those who aren’t will have the opportunity to hear his work when the Santa Monica Pier concerts begin Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

He and fellow KPCC disc jockey Matt Wright will co-host the series of concerts, in which they will introduce bands and entertain the audience during intermission.

This year’s concert lineup includes a wide variety of musicians and bands playing jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country and blues. Sha Na Na kicks off the season and will be followed by a host of bands including the Bonedaddy’s, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack and Congo player Poncho Sanchez.

Engel is looking forward to the chance to work in his home town. “I’m involved as an interested resident,” he said. “I love the idea that this (event) brings attention to the pier as a landmark and I also like the concept of people gathering for a shared activity.”

Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Engel came to Los Angeles at the age of 4 and grew up in the Fairfax District. Classical music was always a fixture in the Engel home. He began studying violin at the age of 8 and although he stopped playing at 17, his passion for classical music never faded.

“I came to radio accidentally,” he said. “My brother brought a job listing for a radio broadcast position at KUSC and I had the music background but needed broadcast experience.”

Because of the lack of on-air experience, Engel volunteered at CSUN’s student-run radio station and within a week, he was doing his own classical radio show.

“I recognized radio was the right place for me,” he said. “Radio is a personal vehicle . . . I have become a champion of music and the arts.”

After a four-year stint with CSUN, Engel moved on to station KCRW at Santa Monica College and began hosting his country-music program, “Citybilly.” Listeners were quick to pick up on his eclectic programming. Citybilly’s popularity and following has grown steadily over the years. Along the way, he has helped struggling performers get some recognition. He has also been credited with discovering emerging artists including Dwight Yoakam, k.d. lang and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Engel took the show to Pasadena’s KPCC in 1988. The program, heard on Monday evenings, features classical and contemporary country hits covering early hillbilly musicians, bluegrass, western swing and new artists. The show continues to be characterized by Engel’s credo: Always play one by Merle Haggard, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell and Conway Twitty.

The concerts, which will continue through Aug. 27, will provide an interesting change of musical style for the country-music fan. But it fits his philosophy.

“As a broadcaster, my motivation is to reach untapped audiences,” he said. “My goals are to continue to encourage people to appreciate and love all kinds of music (because) there is a whole breadth of cultures and music available to us.”