Cumulus Media and Westwood One is replacing “Nights with Elaina” with “Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey” starting Tuesday, December 31.
Rainey has been serving as Program Director of Country 92.3 KRST Albuquerque since February 2020. She previously spent over two decades at iHeartMedia Albuquerque working on-air and in production at 94.1 KZRR, 100.3 KPEK, and 104.1 KLSK before joining Country “Big I 107.9” KBQI at its launch in 2000. She rose to MD of the station in 2008 and PD in 2012 as well as serving as Regional Director of Production and PD of Classic Country “98.1 The Bull” K251AU/KBQI-HD3 during her time with iHeart.
Rainey will be relocating to Nashville for the new show, which will air seven days per-week from 7pm to 12am. She commented, “I’m thrilled to be hosting ‘Country Nights Live’ and joining the Westwood One team. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the pros at Cumulus Country’s Nashville nerve-center. From the moment I began in Country radio, it’s been my dream to broadcast nationally, live from the capital of Country music!”
Cumulus Media Chief Content Officer Brian Phillips said, “The fresh adrenaline in ‘Country Nights Live’ will come from Bev’s ability to spontaneously interact with fans from all over America. This key daypart deserves more showmanship and razzle-dazzle than Country, as a format, has historically given it. As we welcome Bev, everything changes in the New Year!”
Elaina Smith had been with Cumulus/Westwood One’s national Country night show since its launch in January 2014. She served as Sean Parr’s co-host on “Nash Nights Live” until she succeeded 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.
