Over the years The Newtown Bee has not only interviewed hundreds of musical celebrities who happen to have children, but a handful of their children who have set out to pay tribute to their well known parents while forging their own musical journeys. From Alexa Ray Joel, Amy Helm, Lorna Luft and Carnie Wilson to Gunnar Nelson, Ben Taylor, Scott Schwartz, Dweezil Zappa and Steve March-Tormé, each progeny has related how their famous parent influenced them.

In the case of our latest chat with A.J. Croce, whose dad Jim died in a tragic plane crash just shy of his son's second birthday, DNA prevailed, driving the younger Croce — who was at the time robbed of his sight from a childhood assault — to teach himself piano and become a successful musician and songwriter, decades before he began performing Jim Croce material.

Around the age of four and more than two years after Jim's death, A.J. went blind due to horrific physical abuse from his mother’s then-boyfriend. The boy was hospitalized for over six months, and was totally blind in both eyes for six years. It was during this time that he started playing piano, inspired by blind pianists like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. After regaining sight in his left eye when he was ten, A.J. went on to spend his early teen years performing, eventually being taken under the wing of musician Floyd Dixon and later, none other than B.B. King.

As A.J. explained in a chat ahead of a March 4 Tarrytown (NY) Music Hall concert, and another on March 5 at the brand new SHU Community Theater in Fairfield, it wasn't until he decided to stage a one-off tribute concert celebrating what would have been his dad's 70th birthday, that his willingness to perform his dad's songs live opened up a whole new musical experience — much to the excitement of generations of Jim Croce fans.

So, after more than 25 years making his own musical mark, A.J. began performing some of his dad’s songs live and forming a special show out of it because he loves seeing “the joy it brings audiences.”

While A.J. said he plans to start recording new material come May, he is also getting a lot of positive feedback about his latest project By Request. Born of memories, the album includes 12 personally curated covers that traverse decades and genres of favorite artists and shows and hearkens back to late-night gatherings with A.J. at the piano taking requests.

By Request is the first album Croce released since losing his wife of 24 years, Marlo Croce, to a sudden heart ailment. It’s also the first album by Croce to feature his full touring band: Gary Mallaber on drums (Van Morrison, Steve Miller Band), David Barard on bass (Allen Toussaint, Dr. John), and up-and-coming guitarist Garrett Stoner.

Catching up with A.J. at home recently on a brief break from his tour, we got right into an analysis of how he advanced through learning piano, to developing songwriting skills before he moved on to perfecting his vocal delivery, live performing, and finally taking up guitar as a second instrument when he was in his 30s.

Newtown Bee: It's widely known that you're self-taught on piano, and that musical foundation formed while you still were experiencing vision loss as a child. But is it true that you went on to writing songs before you ever turned your attention to being a better singer and performer?

A.J. Croce: It's true. Everything sort of matured at a different pace, which is the nature of playing an instrument, and writing, and singing and performing. Performing is the fourth part of it because it's so much different than practicing — you get this rush of nerves at the beginning of every show, and I think learning how to perform and being comfortable talking to the audience and being at ease on stage is its own skill.

But piano was where it started, and Ray Charles was my gateway drug in that regard. It really set the stage for my very first recording gig years later in Nashville when I was about 17. I got hired to play piano in a session for 'Cowboy' Jack Clement. And unbeknownst to me I was filling in for Jerry Lee Lewis, who was walking out of the studio while I was walking in. I had already been playing live for about a year with Floyd Dixon, but in a way, I was still learning I hadn't developed my own sound yet — I knew what had to be played, and I had a strong left hand, so the boogie and rock and roll came really easy.

The Bee: When did you pick up guitar — and was it hard to switch that left hand to chording around the guitar neck instead of the keyboard?

Croce: (laughing). It's foggy. It's getting clearer, but I'm still not there. I'd love to see the fretboard with the clarity I see the keyboard, but I just need to keep on practicing and keep on playing and performing. It will come. I wish I would have started playing guitar at a young age because picking it up later — I knew what I wanted to hear, and I knew what I asked guitar players in my group to play or record. But I never played until I was in my 30s. And there was a certain fear that came with it because I know I didn't want to mess up. That said, it's been an amazing tool to use for songwriting, and I try to improve on it every day.

The Bee: You're really a poster child for every music teacher and mom who wags their finger at their aspiring musician reminding them that they need to practice. As a child, you'd practice piano for hours and hours — and even today with guitar, you point out that you're always looking for opportunities to play above your game.

Croce: I try. Every day I practice and it's not just for the audience — it's for me. I want to improve and be great at what I do. So practice is really important. You can get a lot done, and learn a lot doing it on your own. But it doesn't really apply until you get out yourself out there and you start performing, because you tend to play faster when you're performing live. It's a natural thing that by practicing so much, you become free of any fear. So fearlessness is something you learn as a kid when you're practicing all those hours.

The Bee: You cemented your commitment to start playing Jim Croce material more recently after a tribute show you organized, but is it true you didn't even start seriously listening to your dad's material until long after you established your own career?

Croce: I started off playing a lot of rock, soul, R&B, and jazz. And as much as I loved my father's music, I didn't really see a connection — and I didn't see any integrity in performing his music when I was establishing my own career. But I took over his publishing in the late '90s and was working behind the scenes to protect and promote his musical legacy to a new generation. But in the early 2000s I was listening to his recordings and heard a tape of some of the covers he was preparing to play during weekend gigs because he started off doing music part-time at clubs...it wasn't a profession yet.

I came across this tape, and it was eerie to hear him playing these really obscure, old songs that I started playing when I was around 12 or 13. And this Fats Waller song, "You're Not the Only Oyster in The Stew" comes on and I realized we had this special connection. Then, on the occasion of what would have been his 70th birthday, I put together a show and invited a bunch of musicians to come and perform his songs, and the response was so sweet and I realized there was something there.

It was those two events that prompted me to begin putting together a show of his music. At first someone suggested I play my material and his, but I was worried there may be too much of a disconnect between the two. That's when I thought of that connection we had from the tapes around this very diverse and obscure group of artists, and I could use them as a bridge between his songs and mine — that's how this 'Croce Plays Croce' thing came about.

The Bee: You also described your latest release, 'By Request' as "a perfect bridge" between your grieving process and your next project — which I understand will be a very personal tribute to your late wife, Marlo. How far along is that, and will we get to hear any samples in your Tarrytown or Fairfield sets?

Croce: Oh yes, absolutely. I'll be going in to record that next album in May, and I'm trying new stuff all the time on the road. One of the great things about the 'Croce Plays Croce' concert is I have 30 years of material of my own and thousands of songs my father and I have in common, even if his own catalog is only about 40 songs. Of course we play the hits, but there are deep cuts as well, along with stories abut where it all came from. That was my father's true gift — he was really a master storyteller — and while he could be sensitive, he also had a sense of humor.

The Bee: Does touring on the newest album of covers, and doing some of the obligatory Jim Croce songs really squeeze you down to cherry-picking which A.J. Croce originals you'll do each show?

Croce: Yeah, to a certain degree. But there's always a moment during shows when I ask the audience what they want to hear, and if they shout out one of my songs, we try and play it — even if I've forgotten it (laughing)...and that goes for any of my dad's stuff, or anyone else's.

The Bee: As you and I and your audience ages, it's more about empathy than amusement when the occasional lyrics or chord changes are forgotten.

Croce: There is a definite human factor to it (laughing), it's very real and in the best cases, it's endearing.

The Bee: So, is there a song or two of Jim's that are not hits that you really love and love to play?

Croce: "Box #10" is one I really love. Um, "Tomorrow's Gonna Be a Brighter Day," and and I really love "These Dreams." These are songs that weren't hits, but I just love them.

The Bee: Before we go, if you are willing, I'd like to ask you to share any insights as your life changed direction following Marlo's passing?

Croce: I found that time really is one of the best healers. You never forget the person who is gone, and you never stop loving the person who is gone. For me, it has gotten a little bit easier with time. But the thing I found really important to remember was not the end of that person's life. As long as you have the wonderful memories of being with them, sharing humor and love and friendship, they are always with you. Knowing that never changes is some consolation.

For tickets and more information about A.J. Croce, his current tour, and local shows, visit ajcrocemusic.com.

For Tarrytown tickets, CLICK HERE

For SHU Community Theater tckets, CLICK HERE

Then, check out A.J. Croce performing "These Dreams" in honor of his dad Jim:

A.J. Croce provides his own take on his dad Jim Croce's "I Got A Name":