Country music is traditionally not a genre in which you’d expect a gay man or a lesbian to flourish. Yes, k.d. lang and more recently, Mary Chapin Carpenter have come out.  Unfortunately, there hasn’t yet been an openly gay male Country singer, and Calgary singer/songwriter Patrick Masse hopes to change that.

Patrick grew up in a household where music was always played and enjoyed. “We listened to a lot of music growing up...a lot of country but we listened to a lot of things like the Mommas and the Poppas and the Eagles.” This music background made him a big fan of artists like Merle Haggard, The Oak Ridge Boys, Don Williams, Alabama, The Judds, and fellow Canadian Anne Murray.

The influence of an older, traditional style of Country music is evident from listening to his newest album, Mend the Man. While I’m not a Country fan, I still found songs like Everybody Likes to be Loved and Something’s Telling Me - to be enjoyable and fun.  For instance, I can see them drawing a lot of people to the dance floor at an ARGRA dance. Patrick told me the album – which he co-produced – was kind of a personal journey for him. He says he learned a lot about himself and a lot of what he wanted out of life.

This album is notable as well because it’s not your typical pop-culture Country presented by shiny young male and female divas, which is so popular state-side. Granted, the Canadian and international audiences are very different.  Patrick tells us, “in the United States if you’re not in the pocket for what the sound is for that genre, it’s really tough.” Outside of the US, Country/Western music has become so popular, and different sub-genres have evolved under its umbrella.  “Country is such a melting pot of so many different music [styles] now. To say you’re country – what does that mean?”

For proof, see how people line up at Folk festivals to see Country artists like Sylvia and Ian Tyson, Stompin’ Tom Conners, and Kris Kristofferson. Patrick believes that says more of the hunger for Canadians to enjoy the whole range. “Especially in Canada, we’re so lucky as artists, as there is such a major opportunity for all kinds of music.”

Like most other music genres, Country is facing massive changes due to the impact of the internet and the newer distribution streams available. Patrick admits the internet is both good and bad, but as an artist it allows for more direct ownership of your music. “There’s a lot more artists like me who have their own corporations and labels.” For musicians, working in this newer media is a bonus to add to their artistic resume; when the larger labels consider you, they want to see an artist actively promoting themselves.

“It’s kind of a really cool time for artists because we really have control over our careers, and we can decide what we want and don’t want to do.” Patrick has been fortunate in that his manager has tons of industry experience and has taught him to be the owner of his own artistic ventures and career.

Being the owner and operator of “Patrick Masse – Musician Inc.” allows him to get a better idea of who his audience is. Age-wise, he says it varies, although in the past it has predominately been women. More recently, since he started doing shows in the gay community, he sees a lot more male fans. Patrick is also discovering untapped markets – like the college scene, and places like Quebec and even Europe.

Listening to him speak, it becomes clear that his focus is on staying true to himself and remembering why he got into music as a career. This work ethic is probably why he decided to make his orientation a non-issue - that, and his admiration of country singers who have faced up to life’s challenges and come back stronger.

As for any issue regarding his sexuality, he knows he’s in a genre which isn’t the most open-minded. In this day and age, Patrick thinks the audience doesn’t care – as he puts it, “it’s not really something that people think about.”  In the United States, he has done shows at country bar, and also at gay rodeos, and for him the paths don’t really cross. To a certain degree he feels artists such as Ellen Degeneres and (on the Country side) k.d. lang have paved the way for LGBT entertainers. “The bottom line is that people aren’t on the radio because of their orientation, they’re on the radio because they’re talented.”

His openness on his sexuality has been an gradual process, one he’s had years to consider. While he came out at age 19 in his personal life, it wasn’t until after 2000 he came to terms with it in his professional life. As for any detractors, Patrick feels, “if that’s the reason why people don’t want to come to my shows or buy my music, then I really don’t want that kind of fans.” He feels there are just as many who don’t have a problem with his sexuality and love his music, and that he will win these fans over with his honesty and openness.

“My whole thing is I don’t want to exclude anyone from my music.” This philosophy is extended to the song lyrics on Mend the Man, which Patrick has made gender neutral. He doesn’t understand why others are not seeing this is the way to reach our community. Given the size of the LGBT community and the spending power therein, it makes no sense for Patrick to alienate a portion of the audience based on sexuality.

The novelty of his sexuality in this genre of music has actually opened up a potentially big opportunity – his own reality show. However, as it’s still a work in progress, Patrick didn’t have much information. At this point he is considering first producing it and then selling the show to an interested channel, but the only way he’ll do the show at all is if he has 100% control.

The concept is simply following the journey of a gay Country/Western singer. “One night you’re in Las Vegas performing in a drag show; the next night you’re performing at a rodeo.” His manager is fully supportive of this endeavour, because it puts the gay issue right out there, deals with it, and then allows Patrick to continue with what he does best.

Patrick does have some apprehension about being the first of his kind to come out. He knows of other stars who are gay, closeted, and whom he thinks will never come out. However, given his own life experiences, the closet was never an option. “I just got to the point where I realized...I just want to be who I am.”

Meanwhile, Patrick is booked to perform at the Country Music Awards in Edmonton September 8-12, probably in a showcase, however the details have not yet been confirmed. Also, don’t be surprised to see him drop in and do an “Open Mike” night event at a local club here in Calgary from time to time. Additionally, he says he will probably consider touring or doing promotional efforts in colleges and cities that are seeing increased interest in Country music.

Whether this increased interest translates into greater album sales and a successful reality series remains to be seen, but on personality and talent alone, Patrick Masse is definitely an artist to keep an eye on.