Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't pay off like it should.

The Stampede has finally brought Saddledome shows back to the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth and though they sold out the 'Dome last night with Tim McGraw, the concert failed to live up to its potential.

Mr. Faith Hill just seemed to be going through the motions. First, despite a thunderous welcome, McGraw's entrance was anti-climactic.

Once the lights went down, he strolled onto the stage by himself, casually strapped on a guitar and introduced his band, the Dancehall Doctors, and with no fanfare, launched into his hits.

Thankfully, this is Calgary and it's Stampede time. The ready-to-have-a-good-time crowd insisted he pick up the pace. So after about a half a dozen poorly mixed songs, the superstar couldn't help but catch on to some of the infectious energy.

McGraw finally started showing up for the party. He began talking to the crowd and started moving around the stage -- though usually at a fairly leisurely pace.

He even managed to insert the name of the opening act, George Canyon, into his hit song Down on the Farm.

The saving grace of the night -- besides the Stampede spirit -- was his large catalogue of hits including Where the Green Grass Grows, How Bad Do You Want It, and Red Rag Top.

Friday night's show with Brad Paisley was a much better show and deserved to have last night's sold out crowd.

The hometown crowd gave Canyon the welcome he deserved, by instantly leaping to their feet when the Albertan came onstage.

Canyon, whose big break came when he placed second on the hit U.S. reality show Nashville Star, was obviously pumped for his nearly hour-long set.

"This has got to be one of the greatest things of my career," said Canyon, who has long dreamed of playing the Saddledome.

He kicked things off with his catchy Good Day To Ride and later dedicated the title track of his album One Good Friend to his family, who were in the audience.

But the highlight of his set was the more unplugged version of My Name. The song, which he wrote after a friend suffered a miscarriage is a beautiful, moving tune that highlights Canyon's deep, smooth voice.

It was great to see someone so deserving have such a successful show.

If only some of that excitement had rubbed off on McGraw.