Last Thursday night at the brand-new Hard Rock Live in Ottawa, the energy wasn’t just coming from the casino floor—it was radiating from a stage that hosted a refreshing reversal of the typical country music dynamic. Usually, we see Canadian artists opening for American acts touring north of the border. This time, Burlington, Ontario’s own Josh Ross took the headlining mantle, bringing Nashville’s Chandler Walters along as his special guest. It was a proud moment for Canadian country music, proving that our home-grown talent is now the one driving the bus.
The Architect of the Hits: Chandler Walters
Opening the night was Chandler Walters, who brought a refreshing “classic country” grit to the modern Hard Rock stage. While the Ottawa crowd was quick to appreciate his traditional sound on tracks like “Worth The Trouble” and “Whatever Happened to Us” the atmosphere shifted when he addressed his songwriting pedigree.
Walters is a heavy hitter behind the scenes in Nashville, and when he performed “I Had Some Help”—the record-breaking smash he co-wrote for Post Malone—the room exploded. Hearing the man who helped pen one of the biggest songs in the world perform it in an intimate setting was a highlight of the night. His set, which also included “Paper Tiger” and “Come On Whiskey,” was a masterclass in honest, salt-of-the-earth country music.
The Hometown Hero: Josh Ross
By the time Josh Ross took the stage, it was clear that the “Later Tonight” tour is a victory lap for an artist who has truly arrived. Opening with the “Hate How You Look” followed by “Red Flags,” Ross commanded the room with a vocal rasp that sounds even more powerful live than on the radio.
What makes Ross stand out is his ability to blend rock-infused energy with deeply personal storytelling. The middle of the set featured a run of hits that had the Ottawa crowd singing every word, specifically “On a Different Night” the emotionally charged “First Taste of Gone,” and his latest release “Bar and Back.” The production at Hard Rock Live was top-tier, providing a “Vegas-style” backdrop that suited Ross’s stadium-ready sound. He closed the night with his signature anthems, “Trouble” and “Drunk Right Now,” leaving no doubt that he is currently the face of Canadian country music.
The Ultimate Collaboration: “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”
One of the undeniable peaks of the evening came when Josh invited Chandler back to the stage for a high-octane rendition of the Brooks & Dunn classic, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” It was a brilliant moment of synergy—the Canadian headliner and his American guest trading verses on one of the most iconic line-dancing anthems in history. The chemistry between the two was electric, turning the Hard Rock Live floor into a massive, floor-stomping party. Seeing Ross and Walters lean into those 90s country roots together really cemented the “North meets South” vibe of the tour.
Final Verdict
Seeing a Canadian artist like Josh Ross headline a world-class venue like the Hard Rock and bring an American talent like Chandler Walters along for the ride feels like a turning point. It was a night of world-class songwriting, incredible vocals, and a whole lot of Canadian pride.
Later Tonight Tour
Josh’s “Later Tonight Tour” continues tonight at History Toronto and then continues its trek west before wrapping up in Vancouver on March 9. For a full list of tour dates and tickets visit https://latertonighttour.com/.
For more on Josh Ross visit https://www.joshrossmusic.com/. For more on Chandler Walters visit https://chandlerwalters.com/.
For upcoming shows and events at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa visit https://casino.hardrock.com/ottawa
