G. Santos / RILiveMusic.com
On the heels of his acclaimed Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour, which wrapped earlier this year, A.J. Croce — son of the late, legendary Jim Croce — has hit the road again in support of his 11th studio album, Heart of the Eternal.
The new tour made its first New England stop at The Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, RI, on Saturday, March 8th — just one day after the album’s official release. The sold-out audience was treated to an unforgettable evening that bridged musical generations with passion, precision, and soul.
Croce opened the night with a captivating piano solo that segued into Billy Preston’s “Nothing from Nothing,” followed by a heartfelt rendition of his father’s classic, “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.” From there, the setlist blended A.J.’s own fan favorites from across his 30-year career with new songs from Heart of the Eternal, showcasing his versatility as both a songwriter and performer.
As always, the Greenwich Odeum crowd was deeply attentive and appreciative — a perfect match for the show’s intimate yet electrifying energy. Croce’s top-tier band included drummer Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison), bassist David Barard (Dr. John), and Grammy-winning guitarist James Pennebaker. Backup vocalists Ms. Jackie Wilson and Katrice Donaldson added dynamic harmonies and powerhouse presence throughout the night.
Midway through the two-hour concert, Croce invited audience requests — a moment that led to an especially moving performance of Jim Croce’s “Operator,” among others. The set was enhanced by multimedia visuals projected behind the band, amplifying both the nostalgia and emotion of the evening.
Croce closed the main set with a stirring rendition of his father’s 1973 classic, “I Got a Name.” When he reached the poignant line, “and I carry it with me like my daddy did,” the audience responded with heartfelt applause — a shared moment of connection that seemed to honor both Croces at once.
After a well-deserved standing ovation, Croce returned for an encore, sharing a charming childhood story about attending a party hosted by a famous Scottish rock star — an anecdote that perfectly set up his closing song, Rod Stewart’s “Stay with Me.”
To learn more about upcoming events at The Greenwich Odeum, visit www.greenwichodeum.com.
Below are a few photo highlights of A.J. Croce’s unforgettable performance, captured by RILiveMusic’s resident photographer, Kerry Quinn.
