TIFTON — With a hairdo reminiscent of Conway Twitty and a musical repertoire that spans several decades in country music, Marty Stuart knows how to play up a crowd. Donning his characteristic neckerchief, Stuart treated a packed Tift Theatre to a string-bending good time.

He carried the torch for traditional country by playing timeless classics such as Henson Cargill’s “Skip a Rope” and Marty Robbins’ “El Paso.” On the latter tune, Stuart broke out his mandolin.

The Grammy Award winner later told the audience, “I love train songs.” He then related a story about the longest train ride he had ever ridden. When he arrived at his destination, someone pointed out a man under a tree. It was Ervin Rouse, the writer of the fiddle classic “Orange Blossom Special.” Strumming the opening licks to the song on his mandolin, Stuart said, “It’s been played a million times. Here’s a million and one.”

Welcoming the spectators, Stuart mentioned Georgia native and longtime collaborator, Travis Tritt. Then he broke into a couple of their award-winning songs together, “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You.” Members of the crowd began to sing along and a few even took the opportunity to do a little boot-scootin’.

Stuart’s band, The Fabulous Superlatives lived up to their name. With Chris Scruggs on bass, Harry Stinson on drums, and Kenny Vaughan on guitar, the group accomplished a wall of sound with their instruments and their voices. During the show, each member sang a couple of songs individually as well as sang harmony with Stuart.

During one point, Stuart said, “Request time, let me hear it.” Over the chorus of voices, someone yelled, “Tempted.” This initiated the song and subsequent roar from the crowd.

Hosted by McAlpin Entertainment, this show was part of Stuart’s Way Out West tour supporting the 2017 record by the same name. Stuart said of the album, “When you get through listening to the record, you will feel like you’ve been on Willie Nelson’s tour bus for 21

 days.” He and The Superlatives are also doing 40 shows across the country with Chris Stapleton.

After an encore, Stuart stepped to the front of the stage and shook hands with audience members, many of whom were elated to meet the country music icon.