Billy Joel 3 Shankbone Metropolitan Opera 2009 

flickr/david_shankbone 

A question from a confident and obviously talented Vanderbilt University freshman during a Q&A session with Billy Joel back in January led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accompany the singer on piano. Michael Pollack prefacing his question to Joel by saying, “My favorite song of yours is ‘New York State of Mind’…and I was wondering if I could play it with you.” Joel almost immediately said “okay.” Following the flawless performance, Joel praised his young accompanist, saying, “That’s Michael Pollack. Remember that name. Guys got chops!”