Beasley Media Group, LLC, a leading multi-platform media company, and Key Networks, a next generation radio syndication company, announce that award-winning Country radio personality Elaina Smith joins Backstage Country, Country’s fastest-growing nationally syndicated Country music program, as the show’s new Co-Host. Elaina, based in Nashville, will host Backstage Country alongside an all-star lineup of today’s hottest Country artists as weekly hosts. Elaina takes the Backstage Country hosting reins with Country star Riley Green on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Over the last decade, Elaina has become one of the biggest presences in Country radio, bringing Nashville to her audiences across the country and internationally. As host of the Westwood One nationally syndicated Country radio program, Nights With Elaina, she was heard in markets across the U.S. and was honored for her work with four Gracie Awards and an ACM Award. She was also nominated for a CMA Award. Elaina is also widely known as the voice of the ACM Awards, People’s Choice Country Awards, ACM Honors, and the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Awards and works closely with the Country Radio Seminar moderating panels and hosting.
Getting her start in entertainment at the iconic Entertainment Tonight and The Insider in Los Angeles, Elaina found her true passion, radio, by joining a morning show in San Diego. Later, she moved across the country to host a morning show in Florida and then on to Nashville and into Country music. Very quickly she was in love with the community, the artists, and the passionate listeners. She’s now come full circle with her voice heard on both coasts, as well as by a welcoming audience internationally on Absolute Radio in the UK. Elaina also played herself on episodes of the hit television show, Nashville.
In addition to Backstage Country, Elaina will continue with other radio projects, voiceover, television hosting appearances and more.
Elaina commented: “Backstage Country’s vision is one that I have admired for some time now. Getting to be a part of it in 2025 is so incredibly exciting. My love of radio, Country music, Country listeners, and interviewing are just a few reasons I knew this was the perfect partnership! It’s also a fun full circle moment being able to work with two of my favorite guys in the industry again, John Shomby and Dennis Green. Grateful to everyone at Backstage Country and Beasley for trusting me with the future of this show. Can’t wait to bring listeners across the country even closer to Nashville and their favorite artists!
“Our programming team couldn’t be more excited to have Elaina as part of our team,” said Beasley Media Group Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. “She is high energy, amazingly talented, and a true entertainer! We believe Elaina will help us continue to make Backstage Country the most entertaining Country show in America.”
Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, noted: “We are thrilled to welcome Elaina as co-host, an award-winning talent in her own right who will bring the Midas touch to what has simply become the best show in Country radio syndication. Elaina, along with today’s Country music superstars, co-hosting Backstage Country is unlike anything on the air today. I can’t wait to welcome more affiliates and their listeners around the country to be a part of the magic!”
Green added: “I also want to thank Kelly Ford for the amazing job she did as our co-host of Backstage Country. Her talents helped take this show to another level and we wish her all the best with her work as afternoon drive host and Music Director at “The Wolf” on Long Island.”
Now heard on over 80 U.S. radio stations and in 27 of the top 50 DMA markets, Backstage Country is hosted each week by today’s hottest Country artists, sharing exclusive backstage insights and giving listeners a VIP all-access pass to today’s most exciting Country music and entertainment
Backstage Country is available in multiple dayparts on a market-exclusive basis from Key Networks. The four-hour localized Country music entertainment program offers Country stations and their listeners unmatched access to Nashville’s biggest Country music stars, rising stars, and new artists, and showcases the best of Country music in a highly entertaining and PPM-friendly format. Backstage Country is available to stations Monday-Friday via FTP delivery. The show is customized to air anywhere in a station’s lineup between 6am-Midnight – Mornings, Middays, Afternoons or Nights. In addition, fans can get the latest news, interviews, music and more on-air and through the show’s website, https://backstagecountry.com/.
Backstage Country affiliates include Beasley Media Group stations WKLB-FM, Boston, MA; WXTU-FM in Philadelphia, PA; WQYK-FM in Tampa, FL; KCYE-FM, Las Vegas, NV; WSOC-FM, Charlotte, NC; WKXC-FM, Augusta, GA; and WKML-FM, Fayetteville, NC.
To bring Backstage Country and Nashville’s hottest Country stars to your market, visit: www.keynetworks.com or contact Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS or dennis@keynetworks.com. For advertisers and sponsors, contact Ron Russo, President of Sales, Key-United, at rrusso@key-united.com.
About Key Networks
Key Networks is a next generation syndication company serving the radio industry. Key Networks brings to radio an independent and dedicated team with more than 75 years of collective experience in radio programming, syndication, and marketing. By committing to a small and carefully crafted roster, Key Networks gives every show and partner the attention, service, and innovation they deserve. Our focus may be radio, but we are in the relationship business. Key Networks is a Sun & Fun Media affiliated company and is based in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit: www.keynetworks.com.
