It's funny that a guy who can look as dignified in a big cowboy hat as Alan Jackson should be the one to inject some old-fashioned Nashville corniness into a country concert.

But that's exactly what Jackson did for 11,000 fans at the Molson Amphitheatre last night.

Kicking off his set with Chattahoochee, Jackson had the video screens behind and above him ablaze with footage of himself water-skiing. That sight might have been more novel if the clip hadn't come from a promotional video that most fans had probably already seen.

Still, it set the tone for what was to come: The athletic and charismatic singer strutting his stuff with little regard for humility.

Jackson's currently touring in support of his The Greatest Hits Collection, a best-of that compiles favorite tunes from his successful -- and, at seven years, relatively brief -- recording career.

Add that to the fact that Greatest Hits has sold 2 million copies in Canada alone, and last night's show looked like a victory lap.

It's a good thing flash looks good on Jackson.

For Chasing That Neon Rainbow, the singer and The Strayhorns, his workmanlike, six-piece band were backed by a neon light display so shamelessly '80s it struck a sort of ironic coolness.

Ditto rousing numbers like Don't Rock The Jukebox, I Don't Even Know Your Name, and the gentler Livin' On Love. The glowing pink triangles that appeared during the latter number were a particularly symbolic touch, but that might be reading into things.

The real test, which he passed with flying colors, came when he trotted out his first ballad of the night.

Sounding like the traditional country crooner that he is, Jackson reminded the adoring crowd that he could hold his own without hamming it up.

Unfortunately, he dropped the ball during his "half-wired" portion of the set -- called so because he justifiably "don't feel too right" about the insincerity of the "unplugged" term.

Jackson treated condensed, 30-second ballads -- by George Jones, Randy Travis, as well as his own first No. 1 hit Here In The Real World -- like coffee jingles, over which he talked about his awards and success.

It was like he was in a rush to get back to the jumpy stuff.

Slow down there, partner.

Jackson represents new country schmaltz in all its glory. He and his band have the skill to back it up.

But even the pros have to be careful not to overdo it.

SUN RATING: 3 out of 5