Skip to Main ContentAccessibility HelpMenuWhen search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.SearchSearchSign InQuick LinksNewsSportsRadioMusicTVnewsTop StoriesLocalClimateWorldCanadaPoliticsIndigenousBusinessThe NationalHealthEntertainmentScienceCBC News InvestigatesGo PublicAbout CBC NewsBeing Black in CanadaMore Burlington, Ont., singer Josh Ross apologizes after calling U.S. 'the best' country in the world | CBC News LoadedHamiltonBurlington, Ont., singer Josh Ross apologizes after calling U.S. 'the best' country in the worldCanadian country singer Josh Ross is apologizing after he drew jeers on social media for carrying a U.S. flag onstage at a music festival and calling the country the "best" in the world.Ross is set to performer at Heritage Canada's Canada Day event in OttawaDavid Friend · The Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 27, 2025 8:48 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoSinger Josh Ross performs on stage during The ACM Country Kickoff at Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star on May 10, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Omar Vega/FilmMagic/Getty Images)Social SharingCanadian country singer Josh Ross is apologizing after he drew jeers on social media for carrying a U.S. flag onstage at a music festival and calling the country the "best" in the world.Ross posted a statement to TikTok on Monday afternoon saying he's "sorry to anybody who's offended" by his comments, adding that he felt the video gaining attention was taken out of context.The Burlington, Ont., native faced scrutiny after footage posted on social media showed a brief clip of his set at the Tailgate N' Tallboys festival on June 13 in Bloomington, Ind., just weeks before he's set to perform Ottawa's Canada Day celebrations.68,000 job losses possible in Ontario this year due to U.S. trade war: reportHamilton steelworkers hang onto jobs for now but brace for impact as U.S. doubles industry tariffsIn the video, Ross, who lives in Nashville, takes a moment to address his citizenship."Fun fact, real quick. I'm Canadian," he says, gripping a flagpole in his hand."You want to know the best fun fact is I moved to the best ... country in the world and I love it very much."Another video posted on Instagram showed the crowd chanting "U.S.A! U.S.A!" and passing the flag to Ross.His comments drew criticism from some online commenters who said the pro-American stance ran against the "Elbows Up" movement and the ongoing political conflict with U.S. president Donald Trump who has threatened to annex Canada and, earlier this month, hiked the U.S. tariff rate on steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, threatening Canadian jobs. "I feel like I'm always representing Canada no matter where I go," Ross said in his response, which was recorded from his vehicle in Nashville."Born and raised in Canada, but I've been living in Nashville for the last five plus years. Half my family lives in Canada, the other half is here in the U.S., and I'm as proud of establishing myself in the U.S. as I am being Canadian.""Both sides were not communicated in the clip that you guys are seeing and I'm sorry that that wasn't clear," he added.The singer, who recently released "Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na)" with Akon, is booked as one of the performers at Heritage Canada's Canada Day event in Ottawa. Organizers did not respond to requests for comment.Earlier this year at the Juno Awards, Ross seemed to take a political middle ground that was out of step with many of his fellow Canadians at the overtly patriotic show.While accepting the Juno win for country album of the year in March, he said he was proud of being Canadian, but suggested it was on his fellow citizens to find common ground with the U.S."I think it's time to get back to our Canadian roots and remember that friends are better than enemies," he said.ABOUT THE AUTHORDavid FriendDavid Friend is a reporter with The Canadian Press.With files from CBC News·Corrections and clarifications·Submit a news tip·Report errorRelated Stories 68,000 job losses possible in Ontario this year due to U.S. trade war: report Hamilton steelworkers hang onto jobs for now but brace for impact as U.S. doubles industry tariffsFooter LinksMy AccountProfileAbout CBC AccountsConnect with CBCPodcastsContact CBCAudience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6 Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636About CBCSitemapPrivacy PreferencesServicesAccessibilityIt is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on .About CBC AccessibilityAccessibility Feedback©2025 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved. now, Universal Music Canada/UMG Nashville artist Josh Ross is one of Canada’s most promising singer-songwriter-performers. On an unconventional path of his own design, Ross pairs a dark, mellow blast of modern country rock with a warm vocal rasp, heart-on-his-sleeve writing and addictive hooks that respect no borders – genre or otherwise., 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", "Ain't Doin' Jack", "Single Again" and "Leave Me .