“Croce Plays Croce” | 12.03.23, 7:30pm | The Factory, 17105 North Outer 40 Road | All ages | $59.50 – $109.50
St. Louis is in for a multigenerational treat. On December 3rd, A.J. Croce will be playing his father’s songs in “Croce Plays Croce.” In this case, the “father” in question is Jim Croce, the late, legendary folk singer, and the “songs” are 1970s classics like “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels),” “Time in a Bottle,” and “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” A fifth generation musician, A.J. Croce began on the piano and vocals, and moved on to guitar when he turned 30. You’ll find him on nearly every chart available—blues, soul, pop, rock and roll, and jazz—in a career spanning across 10 albums over the last 30 years. A.J. is in the middle of a multi-city tour commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jim’s passing in a tragic 1973 plane crash, with performances across the country that will continue into 2024 (see below for a full list of tour dates). And if you’re unable to make the show, BMG is releasing a companion compilation project, The Definitive Croce, on CD and LP this year, which would have been Jim’s 80th birthday.
I was able to talk to A.J. Croce on the road in Jacksonville, Florida, about his family traditions, his band of legends, and his decades-long career.
The Arts STL: How’s the weather down in Florida?
A.J. Croce: Not surprisingly, it’s really beautiful. We’re on our way to Ft. Lauderdale after this and then making our way to you in St. Louis.
One of the things I noticed is that your entire band is notable. How did you meet these guys?
AJC: One at a time! [laughs] The first person I met was David Barard, my bass player. He also sings background vocals. I met him when I was 19 and he was playing with Dr. John at the time. He played with Dr. John for over forty years. We lost touch for a few years, but I was in New Orleans with Allen Toussant and asked if he could recommend a good rhythm section. He recommended David. We reconnected about 8 years ago and he’s been with us ever since.
Gary Mallaber, I met in the studio doing a session in Los Angeles, probably 20 years ago. I first knew about him because he was the drummer for Tupelo Honey and Moondance and all of those Van Morrison [albums, plus] Steve Miller Band, Bonnie Raitt…I mean, this crazy discography. I needed someone to fill in for a date and he’s been with us for 7 years.
James Pennebaker, I was promoting my second album [1995’s That’s Me in the Bar] and was on Austin City Limits, and he played with Leroy Parnell, and we stayed in touch. The ladies [Jackie Wilson and Katrice Donaldson], I met last year.
This is the first time you’re playing your Dad’s music. How is your mom taking it? She must be so proud.
AJC: She doesn’t communicate that well anymore, she has speech aphasia, but whenever I can, I get her on stage with us. She can sing a whole song without a stutter and it’s kind of the only place we get to have this musical conversation with her.
So music is a language that both of your parents speak and they shared it with you. That’s lovely.
With all of the treasures in your father’s catalog, how did you decide what to include in this show?
AJC: That’s a tough thing and it changes every night. I had to have a starting point, the hits had to be in the show and it needed a beginning, a middle and an end. In between those markers, I have a lot of freedom. It’s really fun because it changes every night. I play some standards that I grew up playing.
I think that your father is one of the best lyricists that we’ve had. Do you find that you’re inspired in your songwriting by his lyrics?
AJC: I’ve never felt that music was a competition. Music is a language that we all speak. We have our own way of doing it. We can only use our own experiences as our guide. We can riff off of other folks, but they ring hollow at a certain point. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you have no business laughing at anyone else.
I think that’s the beauty of so much of his storytelling. He wasn’t afraid of looking like he was in a compromised position.
He was silly.
AJC: Yes—he was.
Your father’s albums are the music that my dad sang to me when I was a baby. Your dad and Linda Ronstadt.
AJC: That’s awesome. I love St. Louis. I can’t wait—see you there! | Melissa Cynova
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thefactorystl.com.
“Croce Plays Croce” tour dates:
11.29.23 – Melbourne, FL – King Center for the Performing Arts
11.30.23 – The Villages, FL – The Savannah Center
12.02.23 – Huntsville, AL – The Mars Music Hall
12.03.23 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
12.05.23 – Midwest City, OK – Hudiburg Chevrolet Center
12.06.23 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion
12.08.23 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theater
12.10.23 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
12.11.23 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theater
12.12.23 – San Antonio, TX – Tobin Center For The Perf. Arts
12.14.23 – Lubbock, TX – The Buddy Holly Hall
01.26.24 – Anna Maria, FL – The Center of Anna Maria Island
01.27.24 – Avon Park, FL – Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts
01.28.24 – Immokalee, FL – Seminole Casino
01.30.24 – Charlotte, NC – Knight Theatre
01.31.24 – Durham, NC – Fletcher Hall The Carolina Theatre
02.01.24 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
02.03.24 – Greenville, SC – Peace Concert Hall
02.04.24 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
02.06.24 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
02.08.24 – Washington, D.C. – Warner Theatre
02.09.24 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
02.10.24 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
02.13.24 – Norwalk, CT – Wall Street Theater
02.14.24 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall
02.15.24 – Concord, NH – Chubb Theatre at CCA
02.17.24 – Providence, RI – Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
03.23.24 – Memphis, TN – Soundstage at Graceland
03.24.24 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater
03.26.24 – Fort Smith, AR – TempleLive
03.28.24 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House
03.29.24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
03.30.24 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium
04.03.24 – Holland, MI – Holland Civic Center Place
04.05.24 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
04.06.24 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre
04.09.24 – Champaign, IL – Virginia Theatre
04.10.24 – Eau Claire, WI – Pablo Center
04.12.24 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
04.13.24 – Kansas City, MO – Kauffman Center
*Additional tour dates to be announced (check www.ajcrocemusic.com).
