Josh Ross Gets Swarmed by Rescue Puppies While Reflecting on His Biggest Year Yet and Debut Album ‘Later Tonight’
Between cuddles and chaos, Ross opens up about his first No.1, touring, and more.
Josh Ross; Photo by Osprey Media
After a whirlwind year, one that saw him make history with his first No.1 on U.S. country radio, release his debut album, and hit the road with artists like Jelly Roll and Dylan Scott, Josh Ross recently carved out a few minutes for something a little different: spending time with some adorable rescue puppies. The fast-rising hitmaker joined Country Now for a special Pupdate, and let’s just say, the pups instantly stole the show.
The MCA / Universal Music Canada / CORE Records artist immediately dropped to the floor with Kobe, Karl, and Kaleb, three adorable rescue pups from Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Within seconds, they were climbing into his lap, tails wagging as Ross laughed and played along. It was the sweetest kind of chaos and made for the most distracting and fun interview ever.
As the pups wrestled around him, Ross took a moment to reflect on everything that has happened this year. His debut album, Later Tonight, arrived in September, and getting the music out to fans, he admitted, has been nothing short of a dream.
“It was my first, my debut record and you never know what to expect,” he shared. “For me it was nice to compile a bunch of songs that I’ve worked a lot of years at and towards and just watching the record grow on the road, it’s been really, really awesome.”
Now that the album is out in the world, Ross is already excited for what’s next.
“I feel like some of the songs on the record are three to five years old and then other ones were six months old. But I feel like it’s a chapter of my life that I’m kind of excited to put away. I feel like there’s a lot of growth, whether that be heartache or learning the business, and I’m just excited for the next chapter.”
One major milestone from that chapter is “Single Again,” which recently climbed to No.1 on U.S. country radio after a massive 71-week ascent. The feat makes Ross the first male Canadian country artist in nearly 30 years to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart, a milestone he doesn’t take lightly.
“I don’t take it for granted and it kind of just refuels you and makes you excited for the next things to come,” he pointed out.
Hot off that success, Ross released “Hate How You Look” as his new radio single. Though he didn’t write it, the story is something he and others can certainly relate to.
“I feel like it’s a situation that some of us have been in where you maybe break up with somebody, you don’t see them for a period of time, and then once you see them you’re like, ‘damn, they look really good.’ Maybe you regret a little bit not being with them anymore,” he said with a laugh. “And yeah, it’s just a really fun tempo song. I like rock songs too, so it kind of leans into that.”
With his new single climbing the charts, Josh Ross is already looking ahead to an even bigger 2026. His year will kick off with a massive headlining Canadian Tour, and many of the dates have already sold out.
For Ross, headlining his own shows is one of his favorite parts of the job.
“I really love opening for other acts, but there’s something special about when it’s your own fans and getting to really put the time into building your own live show,” he shared. “This is the first time we’re doing double nights at some venues that are 2,500-plus people, and I’m just really excited to put together a new set list with a new record. It feels like I’ve been playing a lot of these songs for the last two years, and now there’s so much new material.”
Kobe, Karl, and Kaleb are still looking for their forever homes. Those interested in adopting should contact Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, a foster-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Middle Tennessee and run primarily by volunteers. Proverbs is fully dedicated to the care and well-being of every animal they rescue. To learn more or make a donation, click HERE.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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