Jackson shuts up and plays at MGM Grand

Leah Robinson

Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.

The soft spoken singer-songwriter casually delivered his favorites for fans Friday at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

From the moment he appeared on stage, shuffling nonchalantly into place, Jackson's body language conveyed this consistent message: "I'm not as cool as my music."

He spoke very little. In fact, after the customary, "Hey, Las Vegas!" introduction, he said, "OK, I'm gonna just shut up and play some music now."

And the music kept coming, starting off with two of his most fun-loving No. 1 hits, "Gone Country," and "I Don't Even Know Your Name."

Dressed in a white shirt with black trim, a white cowboy hat, white cowboy boots and his trademark ripped-at-the-knee blue jeans, Jackson's look reflected his style of performance: understated.

The stage was black and bare, save for musicians and instruments and a huge (about 25-foot-high) vertical screen. As Jackson played, his image was projected along with music video clips and family pictures.

Jackson's team of video technicians clearly work hard at what they do, producing one of the more unique concert elements I've ever seen. While Jackson sang "Where I Come From," the screen featured amateur video of sites all around Las Vegas from Nellis Air Force Base, to UNLV and everything in between, even highlighting local people.

Some fan-favorite moments were such upbeat hits as "Don't Rock the Jukebox," and a duet he recorded with Jimmy Buffett, "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere."

Though Jimmy couldn't be there to do the song, a radio station contest winner named Kathy from Phoenix was handed the guest mike (I gave Kathy 3 stars).

Jackson did give a strong performance, but there were a few awkward moments. Two songs were inappropriately played back to back. The catchy dance tune "Chattahoochee" followed by the ode to Sept. 11, "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)." The mood-shifting transition was too abrupt.

Also, the show seemed to lag during a tediously drawn-out instrumental conclusion to the otherwise moving "The Blues Man." However, the nearly sold-out crowd of 6,800 rose to its feet enough times to show they seemed satisfied.

Jackson can thank opening act Joe Nicols for providing at least some of that satisfaction. This young newcomer's easy, old-fashioned voice is reminiscent of Waylon Jennings, both deep and resonating enough to be mournful for the sad stuff and playful for the honky-tonk tunes.

Nicols did a good job of connecting with the crowd, singing both his two No. 1 hits, "Impossible" and "Brokenheartsville," and a great collection of cover tunes.

In particular, Nicol's version of the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women," and Hank Williams Jr.'s "Family Tradition," were very well-done.

Before he left, Nicols had the crowd singing along with him to the ultimate country anthem, "You Don't Have To Call Me Darlin, Darlin." Seeing thousands of people happily singing the words "I was drunk the day my momma got out of prison," make Nicols a rare opening act.