TJ Nelson talks with A.J. Croce as he brings his and his father’s music to Fargo Theatre next week

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A.J. Croce is touring the country and after years of “not” playing his father’s music, now embraces it to the delight of audiences.

A tagline of his tour is “Where the songbook ends, the story begins” and you’ll hear it all next Monday at Fargo Theatre.

“People come for the nostalgia of my father’s music, which is a huge part of the show, but they also get a lot of me and a lot of the stories of where everything came from,” said Croce.

Operator could you help me place this call. And it’s bad, bad, Leroy Brown the baddest man in the whole damn town. You don’t pull the mask off of old Lone Ranger and you don’t mess around with Jim.

His father is legendary singer-songwriter Jim Croce.

He tragically died in 1973 in a plane crash at just 30, days before A.J. turned two.

“You can see the love that I have for what I do and for him and his legacy I think it shines through every single night.”

Oh Lord, can’t you see the people. Oh Lord, can’t you see the people.

A.J. spent years building his own career and has released over a dozen albums of his own music to create his own identity.

“Its taken 30 years before I ever played any of my father’s music.”

Sit and wonder why there’s no more tears to cry.

He got his start with some other legends you might have heard of.

“I got my start first touring with BB King and Ray Charles and a lot of soul artists and of course Willie Nelson and getting to work with all kinds of genres of music as a musician and as a collaborator and write so all that comes out in my music and it will certainly come out in the show.”

“You are an artist in your own right,” said TJ.  If there is one act you could collaborate with, who would it be?”

“Whew, man probably Paul McCartney. *laughs* Maybe, ah, maybe Brian Eno I don’t know there’s so many great, great artists in this world.”

Everybody loves a party.

Earlier this year he toured his new album “Heart of the Eternal” and now is just staring nearly three dozen dates of Croce Plays Croce.

“Every night is different. I have a song list but no set list. The audience gets to participate in choosing what they want to hear and I listen to it and I’ll play it.”

And if you go, don’t expect a night of music from a tribute band.

“If you’re looking for a cover band you might want to go see someone else if you want to see an amazing show I think you’re coming to the right place.”

There are still a few seats left for his show on Monday, September 22 at 8 p.m. at Fargo Theatre.