In these days of cookie cutter country acts, one always approaches a concert with a certain trepidation.

 

But it took little time to realize Country Music Association Horizon winner Trace Adkins is forged from the sort of ore you can only mine after paying your dues in the clubs.

 

Backed by a searing six-piece band, Adkins ably delivered the requisite Top 10 hits, I Left Something Turned On At Home, Every Light In The House Is On and (This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing with authority. He also perfectly spread the hits out across the 90-minute set to add a little excitement.

 

But what we learned Monday night was that this giant of a man can deliver the goods across a whole evening, with the sort of pace that keeps the fans turned on and partying.

 

There's no doubt part of Adkins draw is his physical stature (six foot, six) and his growling, gravel-tinged vocals.

 

The man would be a fool not to use that sort of animal magnetism as a jumping off point for a little swivel-hip action. That was readily evident as he ground it out for I Can Only Love You Like A Man -- a performance that drew waves of squeals from the largely female crowd.

 

Adkins also showcased a fair number of new tunes from his forthcoming CD, and then drew an equal portion of his show by nailing a wide cross-section of club favorites.

 

He gave them everything from Merle Haggard (Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down) to The Marshall Tucker Band (Can't You See) to Wilson Pickett's 634-5789 and left the crowd glad they'd showed up.

 

SUN RATING: 3 OUT OF 5