He was a plasterer - but wanted to be a cowboy.

And Calderdale man Steve Peel was on the verge of fulfilling his unlikely dream. He had been offered work on a ranch in America, and was waiting for his Green Card to be sorted.

But then tragedy struck. A problem with his shoulder led to a visit to the doctor, where his eventual diagnosis was devastating. He had Motor Neurone Disease, and within two years he was dead at the age of 51.

But his memory lives on, and now a top US country singer will play a special gig in Steve’s honour at Marsden Golf Club next week, having been touched by the story of a man who simply wanted to work with horses.

Geoff Byford, of Golcar, was a close friend of Steve for many years and has arranged the concert. He was on a driving holiday in America when he noticed one of his favourite singers, Joni Harms, was playing nearby.

Steve Peel on a ranch in Wyoming
Steve Peel on a ranch in Wyoming

He went to the show and spoke to her afterwards, showing her a story from the Huddersfield Examiner which told how Kirklees Council officials were working with their counterparts in Nashville, Tennessee, on a project to tackle loneliness and help people stay on the right track.

He also told her of Steve’s tragic story - and she was so moved she has added a special date to her forthcoming UK tour.

The golf club has offered the venue free of charge, and all money raised will go to MND research in Steve’s memory.

Mr Byford said: “Steve was a keen horseman, and he stabled his horse in Golcar.

“He went to America and was blown away by the lifestyle, and how laid back it all was.

“He was so impressed by the life of a cowboy that he was going to pack up his plastering and move out there. They were impressed with him out there, and were helping him with his Green Card when he was diagnosed.

Nashville - home of country music
Nashville - home of country music

“Joni was very touched by the story, said she had a free night on her tour and asked if there was anything she could do.”

Mr Byford, 67, who worked in transport before retiring, fixed up the charity gig in memory of Steve, who lived in Halifax.

It is being held on Friday, September 25, from 8pm. Tickets, priced £10, can be reserved by contacting Mr Byford on 07785 227074 or emailing geoffbyford@msn.com.

Country star to host charity gig at Marsden Golf Club
Country star to host charity gig at Marsden Golf Club

Harms has won multiple Academy of Western Artists Awards including top honour for Entertainer of the Year in 2002. In 2003, she was named Female Vocalist of the Year and accepted the award for Song of the Year from the Western Music Association. She tours regularly, has appeared at New York City’s Carnegie Hall and has released 11 studio albums, plus a live album recorded in Ireland.

She lives with her family on a ranch in Oregon, which has been in her family since 1872, and where she raises cattle and horses.

She said: “I am really excited about visiting Kirklees and from the pictures I have seen the countryside has similarities to the green rolling hills of Tennessee.”