Josh Ross & Crew Celebrate Second Chart-Topper

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Pictured (Back Row, L-R): The Core’s Mackenzie Schrambach, MCA’s Damon Moberly, Round Hill Music’s Mike Whelan, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, The Core’s Simon Tikhman, MCA’s Mike Harris, The Core’s Chief Zaruk and Tracy Martin, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen. (Front Row, L-R): Matt Geroux, Christian Yancey, Josh Ross, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Nick Sainato. Photo: Rachel Deeb for BMI

Josh Ross gathered friends, family and industry members Wednesday (Sept. 30) at Nashville’s One Garage to celebrate his second No. 1 single, “Hate How You Look.”

The track is the first No. 1 for its four writers, Nicholas Sainato, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Christian Yancey. The track was produced by Matt Geroux, and appears on Ross’ 2025 Later Tonight album.

Hosted by BMI and emceed by BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, MCA’s Damon Moberly and Jimmy Rector, Combustion Music’s Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom, Chris Farren and Keithan Melton, and Back Row Publishing’s Lindsay Will were on deck to offer their congratulations. Many shared stories of how hard each of the writers has worked to get to this point and thanked Ross for cutting an outside song.

Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Ross and the songwriters in support of The Paul Walker Foundation.

BMI’s MaryAnn Keen gifts Christian Yancey, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Nick Sainato each a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar to commemorate their first No. One as BMI songwriters. Photo: Rachel Deeb for BMI

During the celebration, each of the writers also took the microphone to share their praises for each other and for Ross.

Yancey shared that the song almost never existed. The four writers were supposed to write with other people that day, but after a few cancellations, ended up in a room together for the first time.

Sainato and McKenna each thanked their families for their longtime support in what can often be a difficult job, and their teams for the work that is put in behind the scenes.

Farren shared that the moment felt full-circle, as she grew up attending these event with her dad. “I feel super lucky to be a part of Music City. I was raised by this town, and its amazing to be sitting up here in a room with people that I admire and look up to so much.”

Ross was last to take the microphone, thanking Geroux and the writers for creating the song and his team for taking it to the top. “I would not be here without anybody in this room. You’re all so special. This life is a gift and I’m so glad I get to live it.”

Lauryn Sink
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