When you think Tim McGraw, you think country superstar with 21 No. 1 hits, husband of superstar Faith Hill with whom he puts on special sparks-filled concerts and actor who played Oscar winner Sandra Bullock's husband in "The Blind Side."

After Saturday, now when you think of Tim McGraw, think of him in the same sentence with Rush because he combined with the veteran Canadian rock trio for the first back-to-back sold-out shows ever at the State Fair grandstand. Don't think that combo sounds so strange because, after all, McGraw had a huge hit ("Over and Over") with rapper Nelly in 2004.

Playing his first big-time Twin Cities headline gig without his wife since 2004, McGraw went for the no-frills approach at the fair. There was no fancy backdrop, no runway into the crowd, no special effects. But the 43-year-old tanned and toned hunk doesn't need gimmicks. He and his seven-man Dancehall Doctors played it like a barroom gig for 95 minutes.

Even though McGraw's voice was as plain as his white T, he sold songs with his body language, hand gestures and just reaching out and touching fans -- literally. The friendly, free-wheeling star must have slapped at least 900 hands at the lip of the stage. During "Just to See You Smile," he asked for a camera from a woman in a wheelchair and then snapped a photo of her. Talk about smiles and tears of joy at the same time.

McGraw can send mixed messages. The Louisiana native mentioned that he's a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan (boos rained from the crowds) but then he dedicated "Indian Outlaw" to "No. 4. He's my boy" (and 13,240 Vikings fans cheered for Brett Favre).

Next the muscular cowboy, who's always been in touch with his female side, (if he didn't have one, do you think Faith would have married him?) eased into Elton John's "Tiny Dancer," which was vocally pitchy but seemed pitch-perfect as he pirouetted on date night at the fair.

With exceptional ballads like "She's My Kind of Rain" and "Still" (about imagining special places in your life when you're away from them), McGraw served up huge helpings of female-friendly music. But he offered enough rockin' guitars and Southern-styled machismo to hook the guys, too. Like Sandra Bullock on the silver screen, McGraw in concert is just so gosh darn likable.

Opening was Julianne Hough, 22, the TV dancing queen who's aspiring to be a country princess, but perky presence and comely looks are not enough.

For a set list, go to the Artcetera blog at startribune.com. Jon Bream • 612-673-1719