AUSTIN – A microphone stood at each of the four corners of the stage, thus providing the opportunity for George Strait to sing to everyone in the crowd at different points throughout his mammoth, hit-saturated set on Thursday night. Every two songs, Strait – the country icon who calls San Antonio home – would switch corners and play to a different sector of fans.

Need proof to just how thick Strait’s country catalogue truly is?

By the time he concluded his 110-minute set, Strait had notched almost four full laps around his “in the round”, center-based stage.

In kicking off his latest nationwide tour, one that will only make two Texas stops, Strait delivered a hit-filled set, mixing in a few obscure tunes along the way, before a capacity – and rather age diversified – crowd at the Frank Erwin Center.

Among the 29 (yes, 29) tracks featured during Strait’s rousing set were old favorites like “The Chair,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Heartland” and several more of his 55 career No. 1 singles. Strait, backed by a nine-piece band and two backup vocalists, also managed to mix in more recent singles like “Wrapped,” “I Hate Everything” and “Cowboys Like Us.”

Strait, as subdued a musical legend as there is, kept in line with his simple ways, thanking the crowd, cracking a few jokes and introducing his Ace in the Hole band members. Of course, just because he eschews pyrotechnics and theatrics doesn’t mean Strait isn’t among the greatest entertainers of his generation.

At 55 years old, when most men his age are cruising towards retirement, Strait showcased his trademark twangy, honky tonk-flavored voice that resonates just as much now as it ever did. And it didn’t hurt that as part of his three-song encore, he covered Johnny Cash’ legendary “Folsom Prison Blues,” which played well to fans young and old.

As for opening act Little Big Town, the quartet set the stage for Strait by providing an energizing set that skewed more pop/roots in sound that straight-line country. As much was evident when the band covered Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.”

Clint Hale | 210SA