Singer/Songwriter A..J. Croce has announced he is hitting the road again in celebration of two more of his father Jim Croce’s legendary albums, 1973’s Life and Times and his final release, I Got A Name.
Jim Croce is best known for his five studio albums and numerous singles between 1966 and 1973. Croce’s breakthrough came in 1972 with his third album, You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, which produced three charting singles. The follow-up album, Life and Times, included the song “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”, which was the only No. 1 hit he had during his lifetime.
On September 20, 1973, after performing at Northwestern State University and the day before the lead single to his fifth album I Got a Name was released, Croce and five others, died in a plane crash on their way to Jim’s next show at Austin College.
The Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary show will feature a legendary band (including drummer Gary Mallaber, bassist David Barard, guitar/violin James Pennebaker) and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim’s songs. A.J. Croce says besides the two albums Life and Times and I Got A Name, tracks from the popular You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – which fueled last year’s run – will also be part of the new show.
It was fan-demand for more, and the camaraderie that A.J. felt with the audience, the players, and the connection to his father’s timeless music that inspired A.J. to embark on the Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary tour for 2023. “The audience reaction has been so great,” says A.J. “The shows we did last year were not only met with a huge response, but I learned so much about what works and what resonates, we knew we had to keep going.”
During last year’s raved-about performances, A.J. shared intimate aspects of his dad’s career. He also drew praise for his own style and musicianship as well as his sensitive insight into Jim Croce’s enduring musical canon. While Jim Croce’s indelible music catalog still resonates on classic radio, streaming platforms, and more recently on hit films and TV shows like Django Unchained and Stranger Things, it is A.J.s unique showmanship that has helped enliven Jim’s amazing legacy.
A.J. says the upcoming Life and Times and I Got A Name shows will continue to be fresh and spontaneous. “People were surprised when they came that the show wasn’t just Jim Croce’s ballads,” he says. “I think one of the things the audience will appreciate if they haven’t seen us yet, is how alive these songs sound. All the musicians have a level of improvisation that makes it a lot of fun.”
The shows have renewed interest in Jim Croce and garnered praise for A.J: “I think they come as a Jim Croce fan but also leave as fans of mine. That’s something that has also made this whole experience really amazing.”
Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour Dates
Oct 27 / Aria Ballroom @MGM Springfield / Springfield, MA
Oct 28 /The Wilbur / Boston, MA
Oct 30 / Count Basie Center for the Arts / Red Bank, NJ
Nov 1 / Santander Performing Arts Center / Reading, PA
Nov 2 / Sandler Center for the Performing Arts / Virginia Beach, VA
Nov 4 / The Town Hall / New York City, NY
Nov 5 / Keswick Theatre / Glenside, PA
Nov 7 / Kodak Center / Rochester, NY
Nov 8 / Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall / Munhall, PA
Nov 9 / Taft Theatre / Cincinnati, OH
Nov 12 / Royal Oak Music Theatre / Royal Oak, MI
Nov 15 / Hoyt Sherman Place / Des Moines, IA
Nov 17 / Pantages Theatre / Minneapolis, MN
Nov 25 / Florida Theatre / Jacksonville, FL
Nov 26 / Parker Playhouse / Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nov 28 / Capitol Theatre / Clearwater, FL
Nov 29 / King Center for the Performing Arts / Melbourne, FL
For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit A.J.’s website.
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