CALGARY - Flashy pyrotechnics, pearly white grins, snazzy J.C. Penny outfits and a suitcase of sing-along songs.

If Rascal Flatts were any slicker, they'd be sliding all over the stage.

As it happened, the Nashville-based country trio managed to stay upright throughout their 80-minute Saddle-dome show last night.

The 10,000-strong crowd also stood strong despite nearly being washed away by wave after wave of sonic liquid cheese.

There's no denying the group has broad, mainstream appeal. There were well-dressed professionals, dolled-up college students, T-shirted teens, young kids trailing their parents and the odd grey-haired fan decked out in a pair of Wranglers.

Rascal Flatt's music is as inoffensive as modern country gets. Even live, the addition of a five-piece backing band -- which included a banjo player, fiddle player and keyboardist -- didn't do much to breathe life into their predictable songs.

I'll give them credit though, the boys do know how to make an entrance.

After a video montage featuring iconic American images (Statue of Liberty, the moon landing, Superman, Johnny Cash, etc.) and a blinding display of indoor fireworks, the curtain fell away to reveal bassist Jay DeMarcus, guitarist Joe Don Rooney and aptly named lead singer Gary LeVox together on a riser.

You'd never peg LeVox for a superstar if you spotted him in the produce section of Safeway, but when strutting across a stage clad in a sparkly black shirt and equally sparkly jeans, he gives off a confident and charismatic air.

But not too confident and charismatic, mind you.

Even though they dress like a boy band, Rascal Flatts exude a likable, down-to-Earth charm that sets them apart from most pop groups.

They will never, ever be cool. And frankly my dear, they don't give a damn.

Rascal Flatts have a successful formula and they follow it closely.

Bright, peppy, pop-infused country rock and saccharine sweet ballads are their forte and that's what their fans love. The group kicked into high gear right away with the breezy track Summer Nights from their latest release, Unstoppable.

The hits-filled set included such big-selling singles as Fast Cars and Freedom, Me and My Gang and Bless the Broken Road, which had the largely female audience singing along -- loudly.

LeVox took a break fairly early on, which allowed DeMarcus and Rooney to take centre stage. They entertained the crowd with a sometimes funny, often corny "porch party."

The two shared vocals on a string of songs that included a decent, but ultimately whitebred version of Lean On Me.

They're the best-selling country group of the past decade, but Rascal Flatts have more in common with adult contemporary pop music than the rootsy soul of country stars past.

Rascal Flatts may sell more records than Keith Urban, but for me, Urban is the one artist who can blend country, rock and pop together without it sounding too contrived or calculated.

But part of Rascal Flatts' appeal, it seems, is how unabashedly earnest they are. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and they don't apologize for it.

LeVox has a natural connection with his audience and was regularly perched at the edge of the stage, shaking hands and giving out high fives. Here's a guy who's not scared of H1N1.

While LeVox's nasally, high-pitched drawl is well-suited for Rascal Flatts' pop-country, it didn't sound so hot bludgeoning The Beatles' classic, Revolution, during the encore.

Thankfully, the bad taste in my mouth disappeared after an energetic rendition of Rascal Flatts' monster single Life Is Highway (originally recorded by Tom Cochrane), on which they were joined by opening act Darius Rucker.

The former lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish is now one of Nashville's hottest stars.

I've never had a lot of nice things to say about Hootie, but Rucker's solo country work is much more appetizing.

His deep, rich voice fits perfectly with his new country sound and his ability to convey a story through song is admirable.