Video of L.I. Student Playing Piano On Stage With Billy Joel Goes Viral
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) --A college student from Long Island learned an important lesson: if you want something, all you have to do is ask.
Michael Pollack, of Roslyn, joined Billy Joel on stage in January when the piano man appeared at a question and answer session at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
The freshman stood up and asked Joel if he could play piano while he sang his hit "New York State of Mind."
"I was wondering if I can play with you. I would accompany you, that is," Pollack said.
Joel didn't hesitate and quickly responded "OK" and the crowd went wild.
Pollack got up on the stage and briefly spoke with Joel about the arrangement before starting an impressive piano version of the 1976 song, with Joel jumping right in on vocals.
"That's Michael Pollack, remember that name," Joel said after the performance. "Nice going, Michael! Guy's got chops...Good luck to you, Michael. I think you're gonna do fine."
A video of the performance was posted on YouTube and has been viewed more than 400,000 times.
