Beasley Media and Key Networks have announced that Elaina Smith is joining the syndicated “Backstage Country” as host succeeding Kelly Ford.
Smith, who exited as host of Westwood One’s “Nights with Elaina” at the end of 2024, will be joined by a different Country artist each week as co-host. Airing on all of Beasley Media’s Country stations among its affiliate roster, Backstage Country launched in September 2020. The show moved to Key Networks for distribution in February 2023 when it merged with Shawn Parr’s “Across The Country” with Parr hosting until the February 2024. Kelly Ford, who has since moved from Nashville to Connoisseur Media’s “103.1 The Wolf” WWWF Bay Shore NY, has hosted since.
Smith had been part of Cumulus/Westwood One’s national Country night show from its launch in January 2014 until she succeed Parr as host in January 2020. She previously co-hosted mornings at CHR 107.1 WAOA Melbourne FL and served as a producer for Dave, Shelley and Chainsaw at 100.7 KFMB-FM San Diego.
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!
Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase said, “Our programming team couldn’t be more excited to have Elaina as part of our team. 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.”
Key Networks COO Dennis Green added, “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. 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.”
Backstage Country is heard in on over 80 stations nationally on a market-exclusive basis as a four hour localized show available to air in any daypart from 6am to 12am via FTP.
