A. J. Croce Honors His Legendary Singer-Songwriter Father at "Croce Plays Croce" Concert in Coppell

The Croce Plays Croce concert will feature songs by Jim Croce, his son A.J. Croce and songs that influenced them both.Coppell Arts Center

Fans of Jim Croce as well as those too young to have ever heard his music can hear his songs performed live at the upcoming "Croce Plays Croce" show coming to the Coppell Arts Center, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. The show will be performed by A.J. Croce, a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, known for his boogie-woogie piano playing reminiscent of Dr. John. A.J. Croce is also the son of Jim Croce, the influential, early '70s singer-songwriter who died in a plane crash weeks after wrapping his fifth studio album, "I Got a Name."

Almost 50 years later, A.J. has been making his own music for 30 years, and this show brings father and son together in a way that couldn't have happened in real life. It gives the audience a chance to get to know the younger Croce's music, and to hear the elder's songs performed live, which was a rarity given his untimely death.

While the show isn't just a rehash of Jim Croce hits or wistful memories of late 60's and early 70's independent music, fans are likely to hear "Time in a Bottle" and "You Don't Mess Around with Jim", both hits for Croce before his death when A.J. was just a toddler. Other possibilities for the set list include "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song", "Operator", "I Got a Name", "Bad Leroy Brown" and "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues."

One of the best known Jim Croce tunes, Workin' at the Car Wash Blues, was released (posthumously) as a single in 1974.Flickr/theilr

A.J. keeps the show flexible, and it's different every performance, covering a variety of genres and eras, based on the artist's sense of timing and the audience response. In addition to his original songs and his father's hits, music that influenced both songwriters will be part of the show, bringing past and present together in a way that demonstrates the timelessness of artfully written songs.

The show on Feb. 26 is just one of several upcoming entertainment events scheduled at the Coppell Arts Center, which opened for public performances last year. The Simon & Garfunkel Story is on the calendar for March 5, and That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody is scheduled April 15-16. Performances by The Coppell Community Chorale and The Coppell Community Orchestra are on the schedule as well.

Opened for its first public show in September 2021, the stunning Coppell Arts Center hosts a great lineup of events in 2022.Coppell Arts Center

Tickets are $39 for "Croce by Croce" in the Main Hall at the Coppell Arts Center. Visit the website for more information and to purchase tickets.