Mario Tarradell

Brad Paisley remembers.

When so many big-selling country artists of the day are staging arena concerts that look and sound like rock shows with a different name, this West Virginia native never forgets to bring along a fiddle, steel guitar, banjo and mandolin. His gig Saturday night before 12,500 fans at Superpages.com Center cemented his reputation as a purveyor of traditional country for a modern-day audience.

The goateed, guitar-playing singer-songwriter brought his Paisley Party tour to Dallas armed with three opening acts: newcomers Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks as well as folkie-turned-country Jewel.

MILTON HINNANT/DMN

Brad Paisley performed at the Superpages.com Center on Saturday with openers Jewel, Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks.

That last 30 minutes of Mr. Paisley's show ran too late for our deadlines, but his first hour was packed with great tunes and relaxed showmanship. He's always clever exhibiting his offbeat sense of humor. So the huge video screen in the back of the platform was used to maximum effect, particularly during "Celebrity," in which we saw Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson and Dierks Bentley on tape.

Also, during one killer instrumental where he played wicked surf guitar on one of his customized "paisley" instruments, we got a James Bond-inspired cartoon episode that was too cool for words.

And, oh yeah, those hits: From "Mud on the Tires" to "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)," "Wrapped Around" to "Whiskey Lullaby," featuring duet partner Alison Krauss on video, were all sublime. Brad Paisley makes it look too easy.

The same cannot be said for Jewel. There's no taking away from her talent as a singer and tunesmith, but the Alaska native just isn't fit for a sprawling arena. Plus, she had a tendency for vocal acrobatics – yodeling, even – and while she can hit all the notes, her voice just isn't a warm, engaging instrument.

Ms. Hough was cute and perky but her material was largely disposable. Mr. Wicks, however, proved one to watch. Yes, he mostly makes radio pop disguised as country but during "Stealing Cinderella" his pipes were pure and melodic. He sold the rock ballad "What If You Stay" and made "All I Ever Wanted" catchy fun.