Josh Ross Is Still Chasing the Feeling of Having Something to Prove

Since moving from Burlington, Ontario, to Nashville in 2019, Josh Ross has worked hard to establish himself in the U.S. country music scene while continuing to build on the success he’s found in Canada.

The eight-time CCMA Award winner recently added another major milestone to his résumé, earning his second consecutive No. 1 at U.S. Country Radio with “Hate How You Look,” following “Single Again.” The achievement makes him the first solo Canadian male artist in more than 50 years to earn back-to-back U.S. Country Radio No. 1 singles, following Hank Snow.

But despite the success, Ross admits he still carries a mentality of having something to prove.

“I always felt like being from Canada, I always got a little chip on my shoulder. It was like, how do I prove to the folks here in the US, especially, that I’m here to stay, that I’ve made this home, that I really do enjoy living here and being here,” he told press at the BMI hosted No.1 party celebrating “Hate How You Look.”

For Ross, securing his second U.S. chart-topper and seeing that support from American country radio means more than simply earning a No. 1. It shows him that people in the industry are seeing his potential and continuing to invest in his career.

“I think that this song was really great because it kind of solidified that, for me at least, that this is a for sure thing for me, but also for the radio folks and anybody that invests time in playing the music, I think it’s a huge commitment from the radio standpoint and any even streaming or whatever it may be to put songs on playlists, put them on rotation and play songs and to take a shot on a new artist.”

As the achievements continue to roll in, the Canadian singer/songwriter adds that he is only feeling more driven to keep growing and solidifying that he is here to stay.

“I think I’ll always be somebody that is feeling the pressure in a good way with the new one ‘Drink Things Through,’ I feel like it’s the same kind of thing where I’m still proving myself,” he added. “I still have a lot of growing to do, but it’s having the key partners and the right people in place, it’s super exciting to release new music also.”

That mindset has followed Ross throughout his entire journey from Canada to Nashville. He explains that he views Canada as its own market and feels fortunate to have songs that have found success in both his home country and the U.S. Moving to Nashville before he had an established career in the U.S. allowed him to build momentum here first, which eventually helped audiences back home discover his music as well.

“What that allowed me to do is have Canada kind of catch on to what I was doing. And then at the same time, obviously very proud that I’m Canadian, proud that they want to support me. And I’ve been able to do award shows and play really big festivals there and all that. So I feel like when these moments start to happen now in the US, whether it be TV appearances, we have a lot of festivals next year like direct support on festivals and I feel like I’m already prepared. So I’ve been very blessed to have both to coach me through what I’m doing.”

Josh Ross recently shared the latest preview of his next chapter with “Drink Things Through.” Produced by Matt Geroux in Nashville, the new single was co-written by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, along with MitchyCollins, Lazz Principato and Jeremy “Kinetics” Dussolliet.

Getting to record a song penned by Kroeger is a full-circle moment for Ross, who says he has been building a relationship with the iconic singer since opening for Nickelback in 2023. He recalls Kroeger FaceTiming him in the middle of the night, eager to share a new song. Luckily, Ross picked up the phone and ended up hearing what would become his next single.

The upbeat tune captures Ross’s signature style of setting a more somber storyline to an energetic melody, giving the song a lively feel that makes it perfect for a live show. The clever wordplay follows a couple working through an argument over drinks. On the verge of a fight, they decide to grab a drink, talk it out and try to turn the night around.

“It was a great song. So recorded that and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve always been an advocate for playing music early on in the live show. ‘Hate How You Look,’ I think I played on the road for four or five months before it even came out and that’s kind of what I started to do with this new one and then obviously releasing it,” he explained.

Josh Ross’s latest No. 1 celebration and the release of “Drink Things Through” comes amid his time on the road supporting Dan + Shay across the U.S. through the fall. In November, he will return to Ontario to finish out the remaining Canadian headline dates on his Later Tonight Tour.