Shame Shame Shame is here, and Grace and Trespasses, produced by Austin impresario Tommy Spurlock, is not far behind. Of the two cds, Shame stakes out a frenetic, modern landscape whereas Grace and Trespasses draws from earthier, more elemental sources. For a hint of what Spurlock and Croker are up to, click on Spurlock's picture, at left. The clip is from Croker's "God, Is that The Word?" — a commentary on the divinity in the mundane.

In support of Shame, Croker has stepped out on the road, starting in New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles — with Southern shows in the offing. Croker's typical set draws from his first two releases as well as the upcoming cd. "We do a song called 'Dark Angel Blues' and a few rough gems that I wrote and Tommy produced," Croker says. "They're dark, metaphysical songs, and it's surprising, but people always ask for them." For a sample, click on the image at left.

Upcoming Shows

Wednesday — August 6, 2008
9:00 p.m. • with full band
The Bluebird Cafe • Nashville, TN

Grace and Trespasses



c d    r e l e a s e


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Recent Shows

Wednesday — June 20, 2007
The Bluebird Cafe • Nashville, TN



Wednesday — May 24, 2006
The Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, TN



John Jackson described this sellout event as the most electic and varied of our sets.
Kristin Wamp brought the candy with her hypnotic voice, and Leah High, Claire
Berry, Kelly Diehl, and Brian Finan added theirs to round out the Tom Hoey /
Byron House rhythm section. A good time was had by all.


Saturday — May 20, 2006
Eddie's Attic
Decatur, GA



Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Eddie's Attic and the sterling
musicianship of bassist Jim Photoglo and drummer Mike Radovsky.

Wednesday — January 25, 2006
The Basement — 8:00 p.m.
Nashville, TN



The Four Wing-Dingers: Doug Hoekstra, George Marinelli, Joe Croker, and Charlie Degenhart

Wing-Ding Band bassist Mark Prentice and drummer Vinnie Santoro kept the quartet of performers
in groove as each delivered a unique five-song set during one of Nashville's frostier nights.




Mandy Queen of Darts with Joe Croker at The Basement



Friday — October 7, 2005
The Mint
Los Angeles, CA

On Friday, October 7, 2005, Joe Croker appeared with former Bob Dylan / Lucinda Williams sideman
John Jackson and was joined by Dave Meshell and Al Heifitz of LA's The Neighborhood Bullys.

The venue was The Mint.



Friday— September 9, 2005
The Five Spot
Nashville, TN

It was Wing-Ding night at The Five Spot as Bonnie Raitt sideman George Marinelli joined Dingers
Doug Hoekstra, Charlie Degenhart, and Joe Croker for a four set extravaganza with the Wing-Ding Band
(Marinelli, Mark Prentice and Vinnie Santoro). Highlights included Charlie Degenhart's unequivocal
declaration that he is prepared to go toe to toe with Dick Cheney, either in the ring, on the football
field, or on the operating table. The Vice President could not be reached for comment.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005
The Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, TN

Kicking off the release of Candy World, his debut EP on Nashville’s Wing-Ding Records,
Joe Croker took the stage at The Bluebird Café for a night of rock, country, blues, and swing.
Following on the heels of 2004’s Shame, Shame, Shame, the Kansas City-born
songwriter followed up on recent successes, including best of 2004 accolades from
radio shows in Great Britain (96.6 FM West Sussex, 96.7 FM Bradford).

Joining him were legendary Nashville guitarist and former Bob Dylan/Lucinda Williams
sideman John Jackson. Bass maestro Byron House (Sam Bush, John Prine, Amy Grant,
Buddy and Julie Miller, Susan Werner, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek) brought his trademark
fretless prowess to the event. And Tom Hoey — veteran drummer with up-and-coming
youth stars like Jessica Andrews, Billy Gillman, and Josh Turner enjoyed a change
of pace with Croker — a full-fledged troubadour. Nashville vocalists Trez
Gregory (fresh off a recent appearance on The David Letterman
Show), Kelly Diehl, and Claire Berry rounded out the band.

Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, TN



 
Joe appeared with Bonnie Raitt sideman George Marinelli,
Bob Dylan / Lucinda Williams guitar slinger John Jackson, bassist
Mark Prentice (Elvis Costello, The Fairfield Four), and
Vinnie Santoro (Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter).

Kudos go to all and sundry: the wonderful sellout crowd, the stand-in
singers and musicians (Olivia Peterson, Elizabeth Conrad, Laura Lea
Bryant, Cliff Goldmacher, Marina Carter), the photographer
(Carole Hagan), videographer (Pete Goodwin), the wrecking crew
from Peterbilt, the friends from Harpeth Hall and Nashville generally,
writer Robert Rebein, and the great team at The Bluebird.






Friday, July 16, 2004
The Baggot Inn
New York, NY

Shannon Ford was inimitable, Mark Prentice and
John Jackson were magnetic, and Joe brought
in the dark angel blues on a warm evening
in the West Village. Thanks to all and sundry:
(Liz, Jordan, Zarnow, Michaela, Deana,
Willy Nile, Paul, Mike, Carduff, Wilkinson, Riley
(sans squirt-gun), Ellen & Lauren, and on ...

Special thanks to Alissa Newton and Jon Anthony
for the sales and sound, Dave Foster for the gig, and
Miss Leah High for stepping in with the angelic voice.


Sunday, October 5, 2003
Casa Morris (private party) Nashville

Many thanks to Mark D. Sanders for inviting Joe
to sit in with James Dean Hicks and Mike Reid at a
private fundraiser. Great songwriters, great people.






Sunday, August 10, 2003
The Hurricane
Kansas City, MO

Joe Croker returned to his hometown in August
with a cadre of stellar players: John Jackson,
Mark Prentice, and Vinnie Santoro. A million thanks
to all of the old friends, colleagues, family, students
(way to tear it up Damian), and loved ones (one and all)
who came out to rock on a late Kansas City evening.




Thursday, July 3, 2003
Rudyard Kipling
Louisville, KY

Heartfelt kudos to two top notch songwriters who kindly
let Croker join them: Jacob Lee and Danny Flanigan.
Many thanks also to Nita, Baba, Les, Susan,
Tamie, Avery and the nice people at the Rud.


Wednesday, March 26, 2003
The Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, TN