Review: Other performers pale in comparison to Brad Paisley

I don't even need to wait to hear the nominations in a few days. I don't even need to wait to see Rascal Flatts or Keith Urban in concert later this fall. I already know who should win entertainer of the year from the Country Music Association come November: Brad Paisley.

Thursday's sold-out State Fair concert was probably the best country combination of music and spectacle ever staged at the grandstand.

Musically, Paisley's performance had range, depth and humor. He not only demonstrated his first-rate songwriting, but he produced more guitar fireworks than John Mayer and his multi-screen visuals were as exciting as U2's.

OK, his voice wasn't as pretty as Urban's or as forceful as Toby Keith's. And his energy didn't quite measure up to Kenny Chesney's. But Paisley was just as fun as all three of those superstars -- and funnier.

The 34-year-old West Virginia native was witty and wise, an alluring combination of smart-alecky and smart, a modernist with both a traditional and self-deprecating touch.

His humor was apparent in his lyrics ("Online" was about a living-with-his-parents geek who fancies himself a stud in his online profile); his music (he snuck in a guitar passage from Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" in "Better Than This"), and his patter (he joked about the fans skipping work after the opening of the fair "up here in Lake Wobegon").

But several of his songs were as sincere and sentimental as George Strait. "She's Everything" had almost everything -- a lovely melody and message that had couples cuddling and a climax with an eloquently expressive guitar solo that sounded like Clapton meets Santana in Nashville.

Paisley did get a little too sentimental during the spiritual "When I Get Where I'm Going" by showing photos of Ronald Reagan, Dale Earnhardt and Elvis Presley on the video screens. But the 13,148 fans cheered for these departed heroes as loudly -- and extra loudly when the video screen flashed an I-35 logo with the words "in memory" -- as they rooted for the newly minted hero onstage.

While Paisley staked his claim for entertainer of the year, opening act Taylor Swift made an irrefutable case for winning the CMA's Horizon Award for top rookie. In 25 minutes, this 17-year-old just oozed talent and confidence. Recently her album displaced Paisley's "5th Gear" at No. 1.

Swift looked like a tall, uncurvacious Jessica Simpson but seared like country's answer to Alanis Morissette with her angry-girl tunes (which she cowrites). If a guy does her wrong, she writes a song about him, such as "Teardrops on My Guitar" and "Picture to Burn," her closer that sounded like a classic. Her hit "Tim McGraw" was a wonderfully wistful look at first love.

Swift's assertive voice sounded unpolished, which is OK for a 17-year-old newcomer, but her overwhelming magic could not be denied -- even when she mentioned that her album had been No. 1 for five weeks in row and declared, "I'm so obnoxiously excited about it."

Also appearing were 2006 "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler, whose personality was more memorable than her music, and hunky Jack Ingram, who sounded like a rocker slumming in country.

For a set list, go to www.startribune.com/poplife. Jon Bream • 612-673-1719

Jon Bream • popmusic@startribune.com