Elaina Smith is a global radio star based out of Nashville. She’s the newly named host of “Backstage Country,” the syndicated Country Music show on Beasley Media Group and Key Networks.
Smith took over for Kelly Ford, who left the show in February 2025. She is also the two-time voice of “The People’s Choice Country Awards”, a fan-based awards show that has aired on NBC for many years. Smith previously hosted Westwood One’s “Nights with Elaina,” which aired on 150+ stations nationwide.
Elaina began her radio career as a promotions assistant at KFMB-FM San Diego while attending San Diego State University, interning at Entertainment Tonight/The Insider. She says it cost a lot of money for a college student to do both. Having to drive back and forth from San Diego to Los Angeles, she got her feet wet on air by filling in on the “Dave Shelly and Chainsaw Show.” The experience sealed her fate with radio.
After graduation, Cumulus Media offered her a morning show gig at WAOA Melbourne, FL: “Timmy and Elaina in the Morning.” A year later, she got a call for a new syndicated NASH Network that Cumulus/Westwood One was building. She stayed there for over ten years.
“It’s funny because when I was a child and we moved to San Diego from LA, it was all about Channel 933, STAR, and KSON for me. My mom wouldn’t let me listen to ‘Dave Shelly & Chainsaw,’ which is hilarious now. But because I would always choose radio over the CD player, I quickly realized, WOW, I’m in love with radio!’
“The connection, the empathy, the hilarity, the realness, the music. And I was WAY more excited to meet Geena the Latina than Nancy O’Dell from ‘Entertainment Tonight.’ Both exciting but come on. Working in radio just felt right and lit my fire like nothing else.”
“Backstage Country” is uplifting, with positive vibes only, insists Smith. “Of course, we discuss serious topics, but I’ll never leave a conversation or break on a sour note. People who listen to me can always rely on that.”
“They can also rely on the fact that I’ll bring them closer to Music City and their favorite Country stars. We have an artist join us every night. And while we cover their current projects, we also just talk about the human experience.”
Smith also hosts her podcast, “Women Want to Hear Women.” “I may have gotten in a little trouble in the beginning, but it was one of those ‘ask for forgiveness, not permission’ situations that actually turned out great,” she says. “Carrie Underwood wanted to join in to talk about the lack of female artists on Country radio. That was a huge highlight and a full circle moment when they featured a clip on ‘Entertainment Tonight.’”
Smith says radio has changed a lot since she started in the business. “There are certainly fewer resources, which can be wildly overwhelming,” she admits. “I feel like I’m seeing burnout much more often with everyone wearing a million hats, and it breaks my heart.”
“I’ve had many talented friends leave the industry, and radio needs them! As a syndicated show, I try to be as easily accessible as possible to each affiliate and hope that I can make their lives as easy as possible. I know we’re all doing way more than we were 12 years ago in order to survive. But I do love seeing how social media has given personalities their own platform to continue growing their brand beyond the airwaves.”
“I do think that what we are missing, though, is the next generation. Not to say we don’t have talented people entering the game right now; we absolutely do. But with the overwhelming amount of hats everyone is wearing, there may be a lack of time to nurture new talent and help them grow,” Smith says.
“I love mentoring and would encourage any new talent reading this to reach out any time. Getting the next generation (and keeping this generation) excited about radio and the unique connection it offers, is CRUCIAL to the industry’s continued growth and success.”
Follow Elaina Smith on Instagram & TikTok: @elainaDsmith
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
