“Oh my gosh, tears came to my eyes—thank you, Lord, for bringing back such a wonderful voice so we can still enjoy it.” Scotty McCreery’s performance of Hello Darlin’ at the Grand Ole Opry was a heartfelt tribute to classic country music, bringing nostalgia to longtime fans. He started by speaking the opening lines, just like Conway Twitty once did, before easing into the melody with his signature deep, warm vocals. As he reached the song’s emotional peaks, it was clear he wasn’t just covering a classic—he was honoring it with sincerity and reverence. Standing confidently in the legendary Opry circle, McCreery let his voice do all the work, proving that true country storytelling doesn’t need theatrics. This was more than just a performance—it was a moment that reaffirmed his place among the best modern country vocalists.

There aren’t a lot of songs Scotty McCreery’s deep voice can’t handle, but Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’” was practically made for him.

During a recent stop at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry, McCreery took a few moments to pay tribute to Twitty with the song, which was a top hit in the ’70s. The crowd began to cheer as soon as they realized what he’d be covering.

WATCH THE PERFORMANCE BELOW 

He talked through the first couple of lines, but when he began to belt the biggest parts of “Hello Darlin’,” McCreery couldn’t hide his impressive talent. He was clearly comfortable inside that famous Opry circle. The singer didn’t walk the stage or put on too much of a performance, because his voice was enough.

When he sang the song’s last few notes, the audience roared with applause.

“That’s Conway Twitty, y’all,” McCreery told the audience, smiling. “Thank you so much, Grand Ole Opry, y’all have a great night.”

Expect new music from McCreery to come in 2015.