Who Is Ross Ellis? 5 Things You Need to Know

After years of cutting his teeth and paying his dues, Ross Ellis is one to watch out for with his own career as an artist. In addition to penning tracks for some of country music's biggest acts, including Tim McGraw, Ellis is now releasing his own music.

Ellis' recent songs include "Home for the Weekend," "Ghosts" and "Barefoot Dancer." The Louisiana native continues to write, but has recently added touring to his schedule as well: Ellis has hit the road alongside some of the genre's newer talents, including Brett Young, Chase Rice and RaeLynn, as well as with the Eli Young Band.

Want to know more about Ellis? Read on to learn about his lifelong dream to make it in Nashville, and how he got to this point.

He Used to Be in a Band

By the time Ellis was 15, he had already started a band called Wayside with his cousin and some friends. Throughout high school and college, the group grew its following in Louisiana and the nearby state of Mississippi.

He Roomed With Fellow Rising Songwriters ...

After graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the musical hopeful turned down day jobs and instead decided to move to Nashville. There, Ellis became roommates with fellow songwriters Jameson Rodgers and Hunter Phelps.

... and Has Been in the Studio With an Old Dominion Member

Old Dominon's Brad Tursi produced Ellis' 2017 EP, Home for the Weekend.

"Neon Church" Is His Song

After only a year of playing writers' rounds and co-writing in between part-time jobs, Ellis landed a contract with Big Deal Music. That deal led to Tim McGraw cutting his song "Neon Church" in 2018; Ellis co-wrote the track with Ben Goldsmith and Ben Stennis.

He Sees Weddings From a Different Point of View

At weddings, Ellis likes to watch the marrying couple's family and friends. "In those moments, I find myself imagining what’s going on in their minds, from their perspective. Those are the stories I want to hear," he says -- so much so, in fact, that the idea inspired his song "Barefoot Dancer." Written by Ellis with Dan Fernandez and Rob Crosby, the track reminds listeners that, although it might seem as though it is taking forever, everyone’s time for love will come. “There’s a great love out there for each of us -- we just need to remember to lean in and be vulnerable sometimes," Ellis says.