COEUR d'ALENE - I'm a big fan of excellent.

Sport, acting, literature, you name it, if you're good at your craft, you have my attention. Even if I don't know much about the craft itself, if you bring it, by golly I wanna see it.

So when Sugarland, more specifically lead singer Jennifer Nettles, came to Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights, Wash., Aug. 16, it was can't miss stuff.

Nettles packs one of the best voices in the industry.

It booms and it's beautiful.

And one of the perks of living in the Inland Northwest is that it's cowboy country - if you're into that - so Sugarland, which is at the top of the country scene, made a perfect fit.

We're not talking about has-beens touring on their past: Nettles is a bona fide superstar in her prime. My God, she's sang for the National Football League's opening night before. That's big business.

And in Airway Heights, little old Airway Heights, she didn't disappoint, using that voice of hers to click off hit after hit in the comfy, backyard-feel of the casino's grassy venue, where it hosted its Pepsi Outdoor Summer Concert series.

"There you all are," Nettles said to the crowd between songs, as the setting sun, which had been glaring at the stage, finally set behind the horizon and Nettles could remove her sunglasses. "Now I can finally see you."

It was easy like that all night.

Not that it was a barbecue. The band, with guitarist and backup vocalist Kristian Bush, put on a show, with dancing, lights, and how I love those devices that make the musicians' hair blow around softly all night like they're gods or appearing from dreams.

And yes, country music can be corny. But one of its endearing traits is that it knows this, and plays up to it.

So have fun with it, like when Nettles belted out "All I want to do," it was fun to watch her kick and punch away as she danced, well, cornily. And when she sang the band's breakout hit, "Baby Girl," they brought a girl up from the crowd to sing with them. Of course the little girl was awful, but, hey, she's supposed to be. And beers were only $5.

But with the Grammy and other awards to prove it, Nettles, boy oh boy, can bring it.

And like a true talent, she showed it without any gimmick when she sang "Stay," as Bush played acoustic guitar, the only other noise besides Nettles' voice. It was really only her voice then, and that's when you stop and listen.

If Sugarland comes back to the Inland Northwest, and I suspect they will, check them out. Country and the region make a good fit, and it won't be a former star limping through one last tour, rather the real deal humming on all cylinders. Anyone can appreciate that.

Tom Hasslinger is the city reporter at the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached at thasslinger@cdapress.com or 664-8176 ext. 2010.