Josh Ross is making history, and making it look effortless. The first Canadian male artist in nearly 30 years to hit number one at US Country Radio, Ross woke up in his Nebraska bunker at a county fair to a Zoom call with 70 people and a celebratory shot of Jack Daniels. It was a long-awaited milestone for the rising country star, a culmination of years of late nights, hard work, and breaking barriers. From small-town stories to high-profile collaborations, his new album Later Tonight is a snapshot of life on the road, love, heartbreak, and everything in between. In this exclusive interview, Ross takes us inside the songs, the struggles, and the moments that made him the artist he is today.

_

You’ve just become the first Canadian male artist in nearly 30 years to hit a number one at US Country Radio. Where were you when you heard the good news?

Josh Ross: I was in Nebraska, at a county fair, and I got woke up from my tour manager and about 70 people on a Zoom call together. I was in my bunker, It was probably like 10 a.m. and I got woken up with a shot of Jack which was a very, very fitting way to celebrate with everybody, so very, very cool.

What did that feel like?

Josh Ross: I mean, just really incredible. It was such a long time coming for that song. There’s a lot of years of work that had been put in. I’m so excited for myself, but it’s so exciting for everybody that’s been involved. Definitely a career milestone for sure.

Joining legends like Paul Brandt and Hank Snow is no small feat. How do you process being part of such a rare Canadian country music history?

Josh Ross: Yeah, it’s interesting to think about history like that. Hopefully the next one’s not 30 years again. It’ll be fairly soon, and I get another one or something. It was definitely always a goal of mine. I always had a goal when I moved to Nashville and, just in general about playing around the world, to have number one songs and songs that do well. I felt like there were always barriers to break, and I’ve been very fortunate to be welcomed in different countries like the US, Australia, and the UK, to have my first US number one.

So when you started traveling to Nashville and moved there in 2018, could you have ever imagined reaching this point?

Josh Ross: I guess I would dream about it. Whether it happens or not, I’m one of those people that do mental reps of what it would be like if it actually happened. One thing I always remember is turning on the radio when I got to Nashville. I was sleeping in my car and listened to the local radio station, thinking, “Someday, hopefully my song is on the radio.” I got to experience that for the first time here in Canada, which was such an incredible feeling. To see it translate in different countries is really, really cool.

The album title Later Tonight feels like it could mean a lot of different things. What does it personally represent to you?

Josh Ross: Just a lifestyle. I feel like there are a lot of years of “later tonight” things that have gone on. A lot of the song titles, ideas, and inspiration behind the songs came late at night. I wanted to have that track as number one on the album. It just felt fitting to open up the project with something that was easy to digest and that people would gravitate toward to listen to. From there, they can get into the more detailed and meaty songs.

You said this project is about getting caught in your feelings— the breakups, makeups, and everything in between. Was there one song that was the most emotionally difficult for you to write or record?

Josh Ross: I think… yeah, there’s a few. “Songs You Gave Me” is the oldest song on the record and came from a certain time in my life. I just wasn’t ready to put it out yet. I wanted to make some changes on it, kind of sleep on it, and make sure this was the kind of song I wanted to release. That would be one. Then “Scared of Getting Sober”, which I wrote in the last 10 to 12 months, is just an honest song about the struggles of drinking and the lifestyle that I live. There are a lot of highs, and there are moments of lows too. That song kind of represents that.

The tracklist is packed with diverse stories, to say the least, from small-town drama in “My Side of Town” to the unexpected Akon collab “Drunk Right Now”. What made you want to bring those different worlds together?

Josh Ross: I think, me as a consumer, I listen to absolutely everything. To have the opportunity to build an album and include a little bit of everything very much represents who I am. Songs like “My Side of Town” finally gave me a chance to talk about situations I never really got to talk about before, which is really cool. The Akon moment was just full circle for me. Growing up listening to him, getting to meet him, and shooting a music video with him was so cool. There’s a diverse amount of stuff on it, and I’m really excited for people to spend time with the record and get to know me more through the music.

You’ve co-written some of your biggest hits, including “Single Again”. Do you usually start with personal experience, or do you find yourself later inspired by outside stories?

Josh Ross: Yeah, I can honestly say that every song I’ve released is either my own story or something that’s happened to me or is really close to me. Songs like “Single Again” were actual moments of me telling a girl to let me know if she’s ever single again. Songs like “First Taste of Gone”, which was the first song that felt like it did something for me back in 2022, was about a girl moving on in my life at the time. I really try to pull from real life. It makes my job a lot easier when I have to go on stage and sing songs, and I actually feel invested in and believe in the lyrics.

Sophie: If fans could hear one song from Later Tonight that screams Josh Ross, what would it be?

Josh Ross: Oh… that’s so tough. I feel like I haven’t really said this one at all, but I’d say “Mad at Me” is really, really cool.

 I’m usually one of those people that, once I submit music, I don’t go back and listen to it. I just move past it. I get to play it a lot in the shows, so that’s my way of hearing it again. “Mad at Me” is the only song I’ve really listened to on repeat since submitting the record.

Your headline Canadian tour kicks off soon. What can fans expect from a headlining tour of yours compared to when you’re supporting other artists?

Josh Ross: Yeah, it’s nice. I get to play not for 45 minutes or an hour but I probably can do an hour and a half plus, and it’s a whole brand new show. I’ve put out so much music since we did the Trouble tour at the start of 2024. At that time, I didn’t have a ton of music that had reached a lot of people. With this project, I now have a new live show to put together this winter, which is very refreshing. I have so much new material. It’s a brand new show that will take fans on the roller coaster of my life. It’s just an honest show, and that’s what I want fans to connect with.

You’re a 6-time CCMA nominee this year, including Entertainer of the Year and Fans Choice. With so much recognition rolling in, what award or moment has meant the most to you so far?

Josh Ross: Oh, so tough. Just having the six nominations is great. Fans Choice always means a lot to me. Entertainer, I think of myself as someone passionate about being on the road and playing shows for people. Those two are my favorite moments this year. Having a number one with Single Again in Canada and the US were milestones I really wanted to reach. Just having the recognition is really, really cool. I’m excited to go to CCME’s, see the people who helped so much along the way, and connect with fellow artists and songwriters.

Over 1 billion streams is mind-blowing. Do you ever take a second to pause and reflect on how fast things are moving?

Josh Ross: It’s something I work at. I’m always fixated on what’s next, what I have to do, and where I gotta go. But there have been moments where I’ve been like, “Wow, this is really happening,” and I try to enjoy those moments. One example is the Jelly Roll tour last year, in Toronto, playing at Scotiabank. Seeing all the people singing songs got me emotional on stage. There are moments like that where I’m fortunate to have a second to digest it. I’m definitely working on living more in the moment, not thinking, “What do I gotta do next?” and just being happy about what’s going on.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the country music industry?

Josh Ross: My best advice is to write honest songs. I think that’s when things start to work—people can tell if you’re being authentic. For me, that’s been my thing. Sometimes it’s not easy, but it tends to translate to better things.