Nashville, TN (May/18/26): A new era of country storytelling has arrived with the official launch of Backstage Country Uncut, a dynamic weekly podcast delivering unprecedented access to the biggest stars in country music. The podcast will officially debut on Friday, May 29, 2026, featuring MCA Nashville recording artist Jordan Davis as the inaugural guest.
Hosted by acclaimed radio personality Elaina Smith, the podcast takes listeners beyond the mic—expanding on interviews from the nationally syndicated Backstage Country radio show with extended, unfiltered conversations that reveal the heart, humor, and humanity of today’s top artists.
“Backstage Country Uncut is all about giving fans more of what they love—real conversations, deeper stories, and authentic moments with the artists they can’t get enough of,” said Elaina. “It’s country music like you’ve never heard it before.” She added, “What makes this special is the time we get to spend with these artists—we’re able to go deeper, have fun, and really let their personalities shine in a way listeners don’t always get to hear.”
Each week, listeners will hear from some of the format’s biggest names, including Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean, along with a steady lineup of top-tier talent shaping today’s country sound. The podcast sets itself apart by offering extended, uncut interviews that go far beyond sound bites—creating space for real conversations and deeper insight into the music and the artists themselves. Designed as the perfect companion to the nationally syndicated show, it gives fans even more access to the voices they love.
“Backstage Country has always been about connecting fans with their favorite artists in a meaningful way,” said Justin Chase, Chief Content Officer. “With Backstage Country Uncut, we’re expanding that vision—giving audiences more access, more depth, and more of the stories behind the music that make country so special.”
New episodes of Backstage Country Uncut will be released every Friday, delivering a consistent stream of engaging, on-demand content focused on country music, artist interviews, and authentic storytelling.
“Podcasting continues to be a powerful platform for reaching engaged audiences, and this format allows us to extend the Backstage Country brand in a very compelling way,” said Dennis Green, COO of Key Networks. “It creates new opportunities for both listeners and advertisers to connect with premium content in a more personal environment.”
“From a production standpoint, this is about letting the conversations breathe,” added John Shomby, Executive Producer of Backstage Country. “We’re giving artists the space to open up, share more of their journey, and bring fans closer to the music in a way that’s authentic and engaging.”
With trusted voices, premium artist access, and a highly engaged audience, Backstage Country Uncut offers a brand-safe environment that extends reach beyond traditional radio, along with opportunities for branded integrations and custom partnerships—positioning it as a must-listen destination for country fans everywhere.
