Has it really been more than thirty years since Jones recorded “Chuck E.’s In Love?” As the story goes, Jones was with Tom Waits while the gravel-voiced singer spoke on the phone with friend and musician Chuck E. Weiss.

After ending the call, Jones supposedly asked Waits about the conversation, and he replied, “Chuck E.’s in love,” thereby giving her the song title that would eventually become her signature tune and help launch her career.

Jones has a short tour beginning Feb. 13 in Sparks, Nev., at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Valentine’s Day has her in Santa Cruz at the Rio Theater and she appears in Los Angeles at the Vista Theatre Feb. 16.

Other stops are Portland, Ore. (Feb. 18), Seattle (Feb. 19), Minneapolis (Feb. 22), Madison, Wis. (Feb. 23), Chicago (Feb. 24) and New York City (Feb. 25).

Jones is touring in support of her recently released album Balm In Gilead, which features appearances by Ben Harper, Jon Brion, Bill Frisell, Victoria Williams, Alison Kraus and Vic Chesnutt who recently passed away. For more information on the tour, the album and the world of Rickie Lee Jones, just click here for the artist’s Web site.