A couple things Duane Steele missed when he moved to Nashville: the rodeo and hockey.

This summer, the native Albertan gets them both.

He'll get his rodeo fix July 10, when he plays the Sun's Nashville North stage on the Stampede grounds at 9 and 10:30 p.m.

"When I was younger, I had this desire to be a cowboy ... until I got a few bolts shook loose and came to my senses," he laughs.

Hailing from Hines Creek in northern Alberta, Steele never made it to the Stampede until he started touring with his former band, The Rock `N' Horse.

Next year, he can get closer to the NHL when Nashville gets an expansion team.

"It's a great arena, about time they found someone to play there. I'd love to get out to see some games."

We can see it now -- Duane, Terri Clark and Paul Brandt in a luxury box. Although they might be the only ones there...

"It's going to take a while for it to really catch on. We've had the Nighthawks down here," says Steele, who has sang anthems at a few games.

"The attendance hasn't been that great, but I'm hoping it'll take off."

Steele's also hoping his new album takes off. He just finished recording the follow-up to P.O. Box 423 in Nashville and promises Calgarians will hear some of the new tracks.

"We'll play several cuts -- the songs we hope to have on radio and are going over real well live -- when I play Nashville North."

Steele adds he's not going to leave out such hits as Anita Got Married. The as-yet untitled album should be out in September.

"We're going for, if I dare say it, a little bit countrier sound," Steele says. "For me anyway. I sang on a little lower register. I'm excited to see how it goes over."