Smoky River Family and Community Support Services is bringing country recording artist Duane Steel in for a concert on Jan. 23 to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Ol’ Tyme Family Nite.

Smoky River Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) will be holding a concert featuring country recording artist Duane Steel. FCSS event coordinator Jean Moore says the event will be held in conjunction with the monthly Ol’ Tyme Family Nite. “I decided for the second anniversary of Ol’ Tyme Family Nite we should treat the musicians who come out every month to a special evening,” says Moore. “Hopefully the local musicians will still play, but they will also be able to take a break to enjoy another small town Albertan’s music.” Duane Steel will be playing in the Chevaliers Centre in Falher on Jan. 23, to which Moore says she hopes there is a lot of support for the local event. “I want local children to know that even if we’re from a small community things can still happen in their life,” explains Moore. “Whether you live in Girouxville or Edmonton, if you work hard enough your dreams can come true.” Moore says she looked for quite a while for a musician from a small town, until she discovered Steel was from Hines Creek. “He’s a great example of a small town person who succeeded to fulfill his dream,” she says. “I think he’ll put on a great concert and we’re very excited to introduce him to our community. Hopefully he’ll be able to share with the children stories of how he reached his goals and aspirations.” Ol’ Tyme Family nite was created by FCSS to offer an alternative for family activities in the area. Local musicians participate in a jam session each month as an escape from every day stress. Moore explains the evenings are always really fun including dancing, singing and socializing. The evening will be catered by Royal Purple and their associates. Supper will include beef-on-a-bun, corn salad, home-baked beans and coleslaw. Tickets will cost $25 per person and will go on sale this week. Tickets will be sold at the FCSS offices in Falher and McLennan, A & M Confectionary in Falher, Village of Girouxville office, Crick’s Corner in Girouxville and the Town of McLennan office. “I think the concert would make a terrific Christmas gift for friends and family,” says Moore. Duane Steel’s more popular music includes Better Man, The Trouble With Love, Anita Got Married, Stuck On Your Love, and Nobody Cheated Nobody Lied. Duane Steele is among Canada’s top country recording artists and songwriters with a professional career dating back to 1984. Born and raised in the small Alberta Peace Country town of Hines Creek, he fondly remembers parties at his parents home with everyone sitting around singing and playing various instruments. As teenagers Duane and his cousins started a band spending summers and weekends playing for weddings and community dances. Touring and promoting became a way of life for Steel. He was on the road travelling with his CCMA award winning band opening for some of the hottest acts in country music including Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Kershaw, and Prairie Oyster. In 1997 Duane was the winner of the CCMA for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Lisa Brokop for the single “Two Names On An Overpass”. In his career, Steel has won five Junos, and 11 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). For more information call Jean at 780-837-2220 or to volunteer call Maggie Gervais at 780-324-3627.