Universal Music Group Nashville has joined forces with Universal Music Canada on Josh Ross, one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists To Watch. Hailing from Ontario, Ross has clocked consecutive Top 5 singles on Canadian country radio. He’ll join Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert on a North American run later this year. Ross is managed by The Core Entertainment and booked by The Neal Agency.

“Josh is such a gifted songwriter with so much depth,” President, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe said. “He’s made Nashville his home so he could hone his songwriting skills and has elevated his art and his fan base in a short period of time. Josh found country music through Steve Earle, and songwriting has followed him throughout his life. We are honored to get to work with Josh Ross, The Core and Universal Music Canada to take Josh's music around the world.”

Universal Music Canada CEO/Chairman Jeffery Remedios added, “For a long time, we've wanted to partner with Cindy and the world class team at UMG Nashville, but it needed to be with the right artist. That artist is Josh Ross, one of the most promising voices in country music today. Josh is at once a phenomenal songwriter and magnetic performer who captures the hearts of fans with every song and every performance."

Seen in the photo above basking in our much appreciated absence are (l-r) The Core’s Chief Zaruk, Mackenzie Woodson and Tracy Martin, Universal Music Canada’s Remedios, UMG Nashville’s Mabe, Ross, The Core’s Simon Tikhman amd Universal Music Canada’s Amanda Kingsland. Meanwhile, we're just trying to get our hands on some poutine.