Canadian country singer
Musical artist
Josh Ross (born May 27, 1996) is a Canadian
country singer and songwriter. He is managed by The Core Entertainment and jointly signed to
Universal Music Canada and
Universal Music Group Nashville .
[1]
[2] Ross has charted with the singles "
First Taste of Gone ", "
On a Different Night ", "
Trouble ", and "
Ain't Doin' Jack ".
[3] In March 2024, he released the extended play
Complicated .
[4]
Early life
Ross was born in
Waterdown, Ontario , and later moved to nearby
Burlington, Ontario for school.
[5]
[6] He spent most of his youth playing sports such as
hockey ,
football ,
soccer , and
motocross .
[7] He has extended family in
Los Angeles and
Maine , and visited the United States often as a child.
[8] Ross attended
Western University on a football scholarship and was a
defensive back .
[9] He had hoped to play in the
Canadian Football League .
[7] A series of injuries coupled with two surgeries derailed his football career in university,
[8] and he elected to pursue a career in music as a result.
[7] Before his solo career, he initially formed a band in 2016 with Will Finch, a fellow former Western football player, named "Silver Lining".
[10] Ross listened to both
country and
rock music growing up, and cites
Steve Earle as one of his biggest musical influences.
[7]
[11]
Career
Early career
While working in construction management, Ross entered several music competitions including the Magna Hoedown in
Aurora, Ontario , and the
Boots and Hearts Emerging Artists Showcase.
[7] He began making trips to
Nashville, Tennessee in 2018, with the support of fellow Canadian country artist
Aaron Goodvin , before making a permanent move there in 2019.
[7] Ross released his first radio single "If You Were a Song" as an independent artist that year.
[12] He released the five-song extended play Do What You Love in 2020.
[7]
2022–2023: Universal Music Group, Grey Cup halftime show
In February 2022, Ross released the single "
First Taste of Gone ", which he co-wrote with Mason Thornley.
[13] He then became one of the final eight finalists for
SiriusXM 's "Top of the Country" contest.
[14] Ross subsequently signed a joint recording and management deal with The Core Entertainment and
Universal Music Canada in April 2022.
[1] With Universal taking over promotion of "First Taste of Gone", the song moved into the top five of the
Canada Country chart,
[3] and entered the
Canadian Hot 100 .
[15] Ross released the song "
On a Different Night " in July 2022,
[16]
[17]
[18] which would become a radio single later that September.
[19] He received a nomination for "Rising Star" at the
2022 Canadian Country Music Awards .
[20] Ross performed at the halftime show for the
109th Grey Cup in
Regina, Saskatchewan , alongside
Tyler Hubbard and
Jordan Davis .
[21]
In January 2023, Ross released the single "
Trouble ".
[22] He opened for
Bailey Zimmerman at the end of his headlining tour in the United States in the same month.
[23] In March 2023,
Universal Music Group Nashville signed Ross in partnership with
Universal Music Canada and The Core.
[24]
[25] Ross subsequently released the song "Red Flags" later that month.
[26]
[27] He joined
Lee Brice 's "Beer Drinking Opportunity Tour" with
Tenille Arts in Canada in the spring of 2023, and signed a publishing deal with
Warner Chappell Music shortly thereafter.
[28]
[29]
[30] He was named "Rising Star" at the 2023 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards.
[31] In the summer of 2023, Ross was an opening act for
Nickelback on their North American "Get Rollin' Tour" along with
Brantley Gilbert .
[32] In July 2023, he released the song "
Ain't Doin' Jack ".
[33] That same month, he made his debut performance at the
Grand Ole Opry in
Nashville, Tennessee .
[34] At the
2023 Canadian Country Music Awards in September 2023, Ross was nominated in six total categories, and won the award for "Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year".
[35]
[36] He released the song "Ain't the One" at the end of the month.
[37]
2024-present: Complicated and The Trouble Tour
In 2024, Ross released the songs "Single Again" and "Truck Girl".
[38] Ross is also embarking on his debut headlining tour "The Trouble Tour" in Canada in early 2024, and he is slated to join
Bailey Zimmerman again for his headlining "Religiously: The Tour" in the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland.
[39]
[38] He released his extended play
Complicated on March 29, 2024.
[40]
Tours
Discography
Extended plays
Singles
Music videos
Awards and nominations
Year
Association
Category
Nominated Work
Result
Ref
2022
Canadian Country Music Association
Rising Star
—
Nominated
[20]
[56]
2023
Country Music Association of Ontario
Fans' Choice
—
Nominated
[57]
[58]
Male Artist of the Year
—
Nominated
Rising Star
—
Won
Single of the Year
"First Taste of Gone"
Nominated
Songwriter of the Year
"On a Different Night"
Nominated
Canadian Country Music Association
Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year
—
Won
[35]
[36]
Fans' Choice
—
Nominated
Male Artist of the Year
—
Nominated
Single of the Year
"On a Different Night"
Nominated
Songwriter(s) of the Year
"Trouble"
Nominated
Video of the Year"
"Trouble"
Nominated
2024
Juno Awards
Juno Fan Choice
—
Nominated
[59]
Notes
References
^
a
b
"UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA SIGNS FAST RISING COUNTRY ARTIST JOSH ROSS" .
Universal Music Canada . April 13, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022 .
^ Anderson, Liza (March 2, 2023).
"UMG Nashville & Universal Music Canada Join Forces To Sign Josh Ross" . Music Row Magazine .
^
a
b
c References for Canada Country:
"First Taste of Gone":
"Canada Country chart for July 30, 2022" . Billboard . Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
"On a Different Night":
"Canada Country chart for February 18, 2023" . Billboard . Retrieved February 14, 2023 .
"Trouble":
"Canada Country chart for September 23, 2023" . Billboard . Retrieved September 19, 2023 .
"Ain't Doin' Jack":
"Canada Country chart for March 16, 2024" . Billboard . Retrieved March 12, 2024 .
"Single Again":
"Canada Country chart for April 27, 2024" . Billboard . Retrieved April 23, 2024 .
^ Anderson, Liza (February 20, 2024).
"Josh Ross To Get 'Complicated' With New EP In March" . Music Row . Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^ Tressler, Nick (February 10, 2022).
"Exclusive Premiere: Josh Ross Shares Emotional Story in 'First Taste of Gone' " . Raised Rowdy . Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
^ Campbell, Scott (May 13, 2023).
" 'I want to explore different sounds': Canadian singer Josh Ross and 'Red Flags' " .
Peterborough Examiner .
Smith Falls, Ontario . Retrieved May 24, 2023 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
"A Chat With Josh Ross About New EP: An Artist Profile" . Front Porch Music . December 8, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2022 .
^
a
b Shoemaker, Jamie (June 5, 2022).
"Josh Ross Showcases Pure Vocals In Single "First Taste of Gone" " . Upstar Music . Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
^
"Josh Ross - Football - Western Mustangs Sports" . Archived from
the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ Quinn, Serena (March 31, 2016).
"Former Mustangs football players Finch and Ross form band" .
Western Gazette . Archived from
the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ Zisman, Erica (March 22, 2022).
"Who Is Josh Ross? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music" . CountrySwag .
^
"#1 For Country with Josh Ross" . 107.3 Country .
Rogers Media .
^ Zisman, Erica (February 11, 2022).
"Josh Ross Releases Personal New Song "First Taste of Gone" " . CountrySwag .
^ Weishar, Jenna (April 11, 2022).
"Josh Ross Shares His "First Taste Of Gone" In New Single" . Front Porch Music . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^
a
b References for Canadian Hot 100:
^
"FAST-RISING COUNTRY ARTIST JOSH ROSS UNVEILS HIS LATEST TASTE OF HEARTFELT COUNTRY "ON A DIFFERENT NIGHT" OUT NOW" .
Universal Music Canada . July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^
"Josh Ross Details New Song 'On A Different Night' " .
ET Canada . Archived from
the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^ Zisman, Erica (July 15, 2022).
"Josh Ross Releases New Song "On A Different Night" " . CountrySwag . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^
"Lewis Capaldi's 'Forget Me' Is This Week's Fave New Radio Track" . FYI Music News . September 19, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022 .
^
a
b
"2022 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES" .
Canadian Country Music Association . July 20, 2022. Archived from
the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022 .
^
"Canada's Josh Ross, Florida Georgia Line pair set to perform during Grey Cup halftime show" .
The Canadian Press .
CBC News . November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022 .
^
"BREAKOUT COUNTRY ARTIST JOSH ROSS UNVEILS NEW TRACK "TROUBLE" " .
Universal Music Canada . January 4, 2023.
^ Roden, Ally (October 31, 2022).
"Bailey Zimmerman Breaks Streaming Records & 'Leave The Light On' Becomes The Biggest Streaming Country Debut Of All Time" . Music Mayhem Magazine .
^ Lynn, Jeff (March 2, 2023).
"Universal Music Group Nashville Teams With Universal Music Canada On Newcomer Josh Ross" .
AllAccess .
^
"UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP NASHVILLE TEAMS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA ON COUNTRY NEWCOMER JOSH ROSS" .
Universal Music Canada . March 2, 2023.
^ Dagg, Nanci (March 31, 2023).
"Josh Ross unveils new single, "Red Flags" " . Canadian Beats Media . Retrieved April 1, 2023 .
^
"RISING COUNTRY MUSIC STAR JOSH ROSS RELEASES NEW TRACK "RED FLAGS" " .
Universal Music Canada . March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023 .
^ Lypka, Ben (January 17, 2023).
"Country star Lee Brice bringing Beer Drinking Opportunity Tour to Abbotsford" . Hope Standard .
Black Press . Retrieved January 23, 2023 .
^ Cantrell, LB (May 23, 2023).
"Warner Chappell Music Signs Josh Ross" . Music Row Magazine . Retrieved May 27, 2023 .
^ Frugé, Charese (May 23, 2023).
"Warner Chappell Music Signs Global Publishing Deal With Josh Ross" .
AllAccess . Retrieved May 27, 2023 .
^
"First Taste of Gone One of Many In Year of Firsts for Waterdown Musician" . Beyond James . June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023 .
^ Kaufman, Spencer (January 23, 2023).
"Nickelback Announce Summer 2023 North American Tour" .
Yahoo! Entertainment .
^ Janes, Lesley (July 14, 2023).
"Josh Ross "Ain't Doin' Jack" Song Review" . The Nash News .
^ Holthouse, Jerry (July 28, 2023).
"Josh Ross Makes His Opry Debut" . Nashville.com . Retrieved August 22, 2023 .
^
a
b
"2023 CCMA Awards Nominees" .
Canadian Country Music Association . July 13, 2023. Archived from
the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023 .
^
a
b
"OFFICIAL 2023 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD WINNERS" .
Canadian Country Music Association . September 16, 2023. Archived from
the original on September 18, 2023.
^ Sexton, Paul (October 1, 2023).
"Rising Canadian Country Talent Josh Ross Shares New Song 'Ain't The One' " . uDiscoverMusic . Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^
a
b O'Connell, Madeleine (January 16, 2024).
"Josh Ross Takes A Deep Dive Into Heartache With Dual Release Of 'Single Again' and 'Truck Girl' " . Country Now . Retrieved January 17, 2024 .
^ Anderson, Clayton (June 12, 2023).
"Bailey Zimmerman Announces The "Religiously" 2024 Tour W/ Josh Ross" . Country Chord . Retrieved June 12, 2023 .
^ Daykin, James (February 20, 2024).
"Josh Ross unveils new EP 'Complicated & single 'Matching Tattoos' " . Entertainment Focus . Retrieved February 22, 2024 .
^
"Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of April 13, 2024" .
Billboard . Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^
"Heatseekers Albums: Week of April 23, 2024" .
Billboard . Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^
"Do What You Love - Single by Josh Ross" .
Spotify . November 20, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2022 .
^
"Live Sessions - Single by Josh Ross" .
Spotify . November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^
"Billboard Country Update – July 10, 2023" (PDF) .
Billboard . Retrieved July 11, 2023 .
^
"Billboard Country Update, April 26, 2024" (PDF) .
Billboard . April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024 .
^ References for US Digital Songs:
^
"Canadian single certifications – Josh Ross – First Taste of Gone" .
Music Canada . Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
^
"Canadian single certifications – Josh Ross – Trouble" .
Music Canada . Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
^
"Josh Ross Releases New Song, "Single Again" " .
UMG Nashville . February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024 .
^ References for Canada Digital Song Sales:
^
"Josh Ross- Tall Boys (Official Video)" (video) .
YouTube . August 5, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022 .
^
"Josh Ross - On A Different Night (Official Music Video)" (video) .
YouTube . November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^
"Josh Ross - Trouble (Official Music Video)" (video) .
YouTube . February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023 .
^
"Josh Ross - Ain't Doin' Jack" (video) .
YouTube . August 7, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023 .
^
"TENILLE TOWNES TAKES HOME FOUR WINS AT THE 2022 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD" .
Canadian Country Music Association (Press release). Global News Wire. September 11, 2022. Archived from
the original on September 12, 2022.
^
"2023 CMAOntario Awards: Celebrating the Best Country Music In Ontario" . Front Porch Music . March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023 .
^
"2023 CMAOntario Awards: Winners Announced!" . Country Music Association of Ontario . June 5, 2023. Archived from
the original on June 5, 2023.
^
"2024 Juno Award Nominees" .
Juno Awards . Archived from
the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024 .
Extended plays Singles Other songs