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A.J. Croce Honors a Legendary Legacy at Brown County Music Center

By Marie Markey on March 17, 2026

In an era of polished productions and short attention spans, A.J. Croce stands out for his deep commitment to authentic storytelling through song. On March 15, 2026, his “Croce Plays Croce” performance at the intimate Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana, began right around 7:30 p.m. and offered fans exactly that: a warm, heartfelt evening celebrating both his father Jim Croce’s timeless catalog and A.J.’s own accomplished songcraft.

A.J. Croce brings his Croce does Croce tour to Nashville, Indiana on March 15, 2026,. Photo credit and copyright Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Raised in San Diego, California, A.J. Croce has been recording and touring for more than 30 years, releasing ten studio albums that have charted across Top 40, Americana, Blues, and Jazz formats. As the son of the iconic Jim Croce, whose 1970s hits sold over 50 million records, A.J. thoughtfully waited decades before building a full show around his father’s music. The “Croce Plays Croce” concept, which he launched in the early 2010s, has become a beloved way for audiences to experience classics like “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “Time in a Bottle,” and “Operator” alongside A.J.’s originals.

A.J. has collaborated with an impressive list of musical greats throughout his career. He co-wrote several songs with the legendary Leon Russell, including the standout track “Rollin’ On” (from his 2014 album Twelve Tales, produced by Allen Toussaint) and “The Heart That Makes Me Whole” from 2017’s Just Like Medicine. He has also shared the stage with icons such as B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ray Charles (at 21 years old) and James Brown. These experiences shine through in his live performances, which blend reverence for the past with personal artistry.

The Band

A.J. Croce – lead vocals, piano, guitar
Gary Mallaber – drums (Van Morrison, Steve Miller Band)
David Barard – bass, backing vocals (Dr. John)
James Pennebaker – guitar, violin (Delbert McClinton)
Jackie Wilson – background vocals
Katrice Donaldson – background vocals

The Verified Setlist

Here is the complete verified setlist from the March 15, 2026 show at Brown County Music Center:

You Don’t Mess Around With Jim (Jim Croce cover)
Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues (Jim Croce cover)
Piano Solo
Nothing From Nothing (Billy Preston cover)
Box #10 (Jim Croce cover)
Complications of Love
I Got a Feeling
Speedball Tucker (Jim Croce cover)
Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels) (Jim Croce cover)
Rollin’ On
New York’s Not My Home / I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song (Jim Croce cover)
Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney cover)
Tomorrow’s Gonna Be a Brighter Day (Jim Croce cover)
Alabama Rain (Jim Croce cover)
So Much Fun
Photographs and Memories (Jim Croce cover)
Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) (Jim Croce cover)
The Ball of Kirriemuir (traditional cover)
Stay With Me (Faces cover)
Give Me Back My Heart
Roller Derby Queen (Jim Croce cover)
Hey Margarita
One Less Set of Footsteps (Jim Croce cover)
The Finest Line
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown (Jim Croce cover)
I Got a Name (Jim Croce cover)

Encore: Time in a Bottle (Jim Croce cover), which brought many in the audience to tears.

It’s really hard to pick a highlight from this incredible performance, even though we were invited a few months ago to see his performance in Louisville. It was simply incredible, especially if you know his father’s songs. His stellar band are some of the best in the business, but one particular standout was his cover of McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Clocking in at 2 hours and 10 minutes, this was a powerhouse show, in a venue with unbelievable sound, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. A.J. is a polished performer in his own right, and an amazing storyteller.

If you appreciate songs that tell real stories with genuine emotion, catching A.J. Croce live is a treat. The Brown County Music Center provided the perfect setting for this special evening that connected two generations of music lovers. It’s the kind of show that leaves you humming favorites long after the lights come up.