Texas-based singer, songwriter, composer and actor Lyle Lovett has a pair of upcoming Maine performances with his longtime friend John Hiatt, first in Waterville on Feb. 23, then in Portland on Feb. 24.

Their “Together On Stage” tour means that the musicians will accompany each other while trading songs and stories.

Since 1986, Lovett, 68, has has released 14 albums. He’s won four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album for his 1996 album, “The Road to Ensenada.”

And his acting resume includes roles in four Robert Altman films and numerous TV appearances, including the series “Blue Bloods.”

During an interview after he dropped his 8-year-old twins off at school, Lovett talked about his long history of playing and touring with Hiatt, and his forays into acting.

You and John Hiatt have been playing shows together for a long time. What’s the backstory?

It started back in 1989 at the old Marlboro Country Music Festival in New York. They put Guy Clark, Joe Ely, John Hiatt and me together to do a half a dozen shows or so across the country. I’d met Hiatt, but that was the first time we worked together. The four of us continued after those gigs were over, doing shows on our own because we enjoyed it, and because it’s a great way to get back to your original conception of a song before you’ve arranged it and added a band to it.

In 2009 or 2010, Hiatt and I went out, just the two of us. It’s always great to hear your songwriter heroes like Guy Clark and Joe Ely, but when it was just Hiatt and me, it was more of an ongoing conversation, less of waiting for your turn to play something.

Do you write a setlist?

No. Hiatt and I never discuss what we’re gonna talk about or what we’re gonna play, we just go out there and see what happens. He’s such a great solo performer and such a wonderful musician that he’s comfortable not knowing what’s gonna happen, as am I.

Are there any particular songs that you love playing with him?

I’m always happy for John to join in on anything of mine and his. I love all of his songs. He’s just been such a prolific and profound songwriter, and they’re all fun to join in on. I’m not gonna pick favorites because I’d rather see what happens and not tip our hand too much. But John has always been welcoming when I’m in the moment trying to sing a harmony with him.

That comes from our long relationship, and knowing each other offstage and being comfortable. It’s a great feeling to feel safe in that I know that if I try something that doesn’t work well, John’s not going to hold it against me or think, “man, you really messed up my song.”

That camaraderie must make for a great show.

My objective in going into a show like that is to just share my enthusiasm about John Hiatt with the audience. Because I’m sitting there on stage with him and have a microphone, I can say, “tell me what the heck were you thinking?” “Where did that line come from?” It’s really an extraordinary opportunity because whenever I go to hear music, I find myself wanting to interview the performer as the show goes on.

Let’s talk about your acting. All your Altman films are great.

Altman is the reason I’ve gotten to do any acting at all. I don’t pursue acting work the way actors pursue it. Occasionally someone will think of me for a part and will include me in what they’re doing, and I enjoy getting to do it. Anytime you’re involved in the creative arts, it’s fun to see how someone else works. I have to sort of be a bandleader when I go out with my band. Acting for me is getting to be in a band. I’m responsible for what I’m doing, but I’m not responsible for the big picture.

I think of Altman as one of the great professors, great teachers in my life. The No. 1 lesson I took from working with Altman was do what you want and be confident in what you’re doing. Altman’s confidence was such that he did not mind anyone looking over his shoulder and watching him work. I’ve worked on projects since where you’d never see a frame of anything that was shot until it’s all finished. Altman invited the cast and crew to watch dailies every day.

You don’t actively pursue acting gigs, but you’re usually open to them?

Oh, for sure. Ian Biederman, the producer and writer that was responsible for my episodes on “Blue Bloods,” called me and asked me if I would be interested. He told me that he was at a show I did in Los Angeles in the summer of 1990 with Rickie Lee Jones at the Greek Theatre. That’s the same show that Altman was at, and Altman called me shortly after.

I was answering the phone in my kitchen and I remember exactly where I was standing when Robert Altman called me and said “Hi, this is Bob Altman, do you wanna be in a movie?” I was a little skeptical, but I remember asking him, “Well, what should I do? Should I take acting classes?” He said, “Heavens no, they’ll just mess you up.”

What do you love about touring?

I’ve met people that I get to see everywhere I go and it’s really nice. People that I stay in touch with throughout the year, and then I get to see them in person. I joke on stage that a lot of times your friends move away from you and you don’t get to see them, but even if they’re trying to get away, they can’t get away from me because I come play in their town.

What are your favorite things to do in Maine?

I like to have a lobster roll, that’s one thing. When I’m in Portland, I like to find a whoopie pie. Over the years I’ve gotten to know a wonderful rug and tapestry maker named Angela Adams and her husband Sherwood (Hamill). In the summertime, I get to see friends from Texas who are spending part of the summer in Maine. It’s such a beautiful state, and I get to see people that I’ve met over the years.

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IF YOU GO

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., $136-$146. watervillecreates.org.

8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $30-$120. statetheatreportland.com.