Kiley Joe Masson

Kiley Joe Masson was born on October 6th 1975 and grew up in the town of Princeton, ON, and it was here he honed his skills as a vocalist and a rock and roll piano player. Early in his career Kiley Joe was mentored and directed by Bill ‘OJ’ Oja, the former manager of Maple Street in the 70’s and Terry Sumsion in the early 80’s. Bill went on to work as a reporter for the Country Music News while maintaining his fulltime job with the Hamilton Board of Education. In July of 1993 Kiley Joe won his category in the ‘Male Eighteen and Under’ at the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest held in Simcoe, ON. On December 4th 1993 his original song “Sitting In The Corner Of A Bar-Room,” was recorded and produced by none other than Larry Mercey. In early 1994 the song was released to radio on a special CD produced by the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest Board. Between January 23rd and March 1st 1994 Kiley Joe and Thom Ryerson partook in a song-writing course together with eight other people, presented through Fanshawe College in Woodstock, ON, and taught by singer/songwriter Jack (Flinsenberg) London. Kiley Joe discussed his own composition ‘Sittin’ In The Corner Of A Bar-Room’ while Thom presented his original song ‘Prey Time.’ The entire class wrote a song together called ‘Classified Love.’ Over the years Jack London has pushed his own version of ‘Classified Love’ at various websites, production companies and record labels, to absolutely no avail. In 1999 Kiley Joe released a song he wrote in high school called ‘A Soldier’s Memories.’ This composition is regularly featured on radio each and every Remembrance Day. In November of 2001 Kiley Joe participated in ‘Showcase 2001’ in Brantford. Columnist Glen Silverthorn reported, “This young man has it all: extreme talent on the keyboards and a fabulous voice. Once again he was a crowd favourite as he brought to life to many a country song from his extensive repertoire.” Kiley Joe knows close to a thousand songs from country to jazz, from the fifties to the sixties, and is a tremendous entertainer in his own right. After working as a single act for more than fifteen years, Kiley Joe currently performs with a five piece band at jamborees and country music festivals across Southern Ontario. When he’s not performing his own shows, he plays piano in the band Sweet Dreams backing Amberley Beatty’s ‘Legendary Patsy Cline Tour.’ He also plays piano and harmonica in the Butcher Holler Boys for the ‘Loretta Lynn Show,’ also presented by Amberley Beatty. As well, he plays piano and harmonica in two Robert Gill tributes; ‘The Waylon Jennings/Highwaymen Show’ and the ‘George Jones Show.’ Kiley Joe’s father, Paul, organizes the Crimson Hollow Barn Dance, which is held on his farm in Vienna, ON. Several years ago Kiley Joe was looking for a bass player to play at Crimson Hollow, and met bassist/vocalist Paul Newell. Kiley Joe incorporates Paul into as many projects as possible. Paul is about as Thunderbird as you can get. Both Paul Newell and Kiley Joe are regulars in Fred Lewis’ country outfit “Ridin’ High,” based in Woodstock. The three aforementioned musicians are all very well acquainted with the Commercial Tavern in Maryhill, ON. Presently Kiley Joe is playing with his band ‘The Rhythm Associates’ with Dale Rivard on steel guitar, Don Maxwell on bass, Ray Ovington on drums, and Kiley Joe singing, playing keyboards, and saxophone. On October 19th 2017 Kiley Joe and Paul Newell performed live at a talk given by Thom Ryerson at the Burford Public Library. Christmas with Kiley Joe was held on December 7th 2019 at Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church in downtown Woodstock. His show was followed by seasonal treats and beverages.