Tim McGraw pushes all the right buttons at White River

Concert Review |

At the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn on Tuesday night, here's how country-music superstar Tim McGraw made his entrance:

The classic-rock warmup song "Mississippi Queen" blared and faded, the stage lights dimmed, and McGraw's 10-member band, the Dancehall Dolls, tiptoed to their places. The stillness of the night took over for a few seconds and finally, a beaming McGraw, in his familiar attire of black cowboy hat, black leather shirt and jeans, came to the center. He reverently bowed and extended himself sincerely: "My name is Tim McGraw and I'm yours for the evening. The louder you get, the longer we play."

The crowd went wild.

To evoke shrieks and shrills, McGraw does not have to do too much. A few deadpan words, a pelvic thrust here and there, or some poised movement with the microphone will do the trick, because his faithful come soaked in passion for their icon to begin with. McGraw touches a seminal emotional nerve for country-rock fans. He has earned adulation.

McGraw, country's "multiplatinum man," belted out tune after tune confidently and flawlessly. During the 90-minute set in front of a near-capacity crowd at the 20,000-seat White River arena, McGraw strode like a figure who knew his celebrity preceded him. At one point, he even served as his own bouncer, pulling onto the stage a front-row rowdy fan. With the help of security, McGraw 86'd the man. (KOMO-TV has video, watch it here — www.komonews.com/news/21468474.html).

Many audience members even saluted him with their attire, gearing up in trademark Tim McGraw black cowboy hats and black T-shirts.

Musically speaking, McGraw is not about a whole heap of improvisation or risk-taking. He is about smooth and smash best-selling albums. He has made commercial quite palatable.

On this date, he treated his ever-widening fan base to some new — songs including "Southern Voice," and the set-opening and captivating ballad "Still." And some old — compositions polished and fashioned in McGraw's own country chic. These "oldies" were also singalong highlights, including the irresistible "I Like It, I Love It" and "Something Like That."

Additionally, the pretty tune "Kristofferson" shone McGraw as the crossover pop avatar he is.

There was a rousing honky-tonk and country-rock ending to the concert, during which McGraw sang time-tested favorites "How Bad Do You Want It" and "Real Good Man." The place shook.

Recently, McGraw has been touring as one half of the Soul2Soul Tour, with wife Faith Hill. Tuesday night, McGraw's megastar spouse wasn't missed at all.