Josh Ross has made country music history. The Burlington, Ontario-born singer-songwriter reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of July 4, 2026, with “Hate How You Look,” becoming the first solo Canadian male artist in more than 50 years to earn back-to-back U.S. Country Radio No. 1 singles. The chart-topper drew 32.7 million audience impressions in the week of June 19 to 25, a 4 percent gain week over week according to Luminate. The milestone places Ross in the company of country legend Hank Snow, the last Canadian male to pull off the feat.
From Football Field to Country Radio’s Top Spot
Ross’s road to the top of country radio is one of the genre’s most unconventional origin stories. Born May 27, 1996, in Waterdown, Ontario, he attended Western University in London, Ontario, where he played varsity football as a defensive back before retiring from the sport and pivoting to music in 2019. Within a year he had released his debut EP Do What You Love, and his 2021 single “First Taste of Gone” earned him his first wave of mainstream attention. His debut full-length album Later Tonight established him as a consistent radio force, and his path since has been one of steady, earned momentum with no shortcuts taken.
Why “Hate How You Look” Resonates
“Hate How You Look” earns its chart position the right way: through an emotionally honest lyric and a vocal performance that does not oversell it. Co-written by Nicolas Sainato, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren, and Christian Yancey, the track sits in the sweet spot between classic country vulnerability and the polished production that modern radio demands. According to Universal Music Canada, it is his second consecutive No. 1 at both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Chart and the Billboard Country Airplay chart, a combined achievement that amplifies the milestone even further.
Josh Ross’s Rise: Key Milestones
- 2019: Retires from varsity football at Western University and commits to music full-time
- 2020: Releases debut EP Do What You Love
- 2021: “First Taste of Gone” earns first mainstream country radio traction
- 2026: “Hate How You Look” reaches No. 1 on both Mediabase/Country Aircheck Chart and Billboard Country Airplay
- 2026: Becomes the first solo Canadian male artist in more than 50 years to earn back-to-back U.S. Country Radio No. 1 singles
What This Means for Country Music in 2026
In a year that has already seen Ella Langley break a 67-year-old record with her historic run atop the Hot Country Songs chart, Luke Combs stake a five-week claim with “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” and Morgan Wallen collect his 20th career No. 1 in February, Josh Ross’s achievement adds yet another historic chapter to one of country music’s richest first halves in recent memory. His success is also a signal that country’s international reach is expanding in real and measurable ways. Artists like Ross are proving that the genre’s audience does not stop at the U.S. border, and that authentic songwriting connects regardless of postal code.
Frequently Asked: Is Josh Ross the first Canadian to top U.S. country radio?
Josh Ross is not the first Canadian artist to reach No. 1 on U.S. Country Radio, but he is the first solo Canadian male artist in more than 50 years to achieve back-to-back U.S. Country Radio No. 1 singles. The last solo Canadian male to accomplish the feat was country legend Hank Snow, making Ross’s consecutive chart-topping run a genuinely historic milestone in the modern era of the genre.
Josh Ross’s back-to-back country radio No. 1 is the kind of milestone that defines a career and announces a decade. Keep following his name through the second half of 2026, and keep up with all the country music news that matters at Sunset Country Fest, including our ongoing coverage of the artists we want on the Sunset Country Fest 2027 stage in Apopka. Sunset Country Fest 2027 is coming to Apopka, Florida on March 13, 2027. Mark your calendar and keep following Sunset Country Fest for lineup announcements, ticket info, and all the country music coverage you love.
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Sources & References
- Billboard: Josh Ross Earns First Country Airplay No. 1 With “Hate How You Look”
- Universal Music Canada: Josh Ross Makes History With Second Consecutive U.S. Country Radio No. 1
- Wikipedia: Josh Ross
- Headline Planet: Josh Ross “Hate How You Look” Ascends to No. 1 on Country Radio Chart
Who is Josh Ross and why is his country radio No. 1 historic?
Josh Ross is a country singer-songwriter from Burlington, Ontario, born May 27, 1996. He attended Western University in Ontario, played varsity football, and transitioned to music in 2019. In July 2026, “Hate How You Look” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making him the first solo Canadian male artist in more than 50 years to earn back-to-back U.S. Country Radio No. 1 singles, a feat last accomplished by Hank Snow.
What is Josh Ross’s song “Hate How You Look” about?
“Hate How You Look” is a breakup song co-written by Nicolas Sainato, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren, and Christian Yancey. It explores the emotional complexity of still being attracted to someone after a relationship ends, delivering that vulnerability through a polished modern country production. The song reached No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Chart and the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2026.
What album is Josh Ross “Hate How You Look” on?
“Hate How You Look” is associated with Josh Ross’s ongoing radio campaign following his debut album Later Tonight. Ross began his career with the 2020 EP Do What You Love before releasing Later Tonight as his first full-length studio album, establishing his reputation as a consistent country radio presence before his historic 2026 back-to-back No. 1 run.
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Last updated: July 10, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us