Billy Joel, Michael Pollack [VIDEO]: Lifelong Fan Asks 'Piano Man' To Jam at Vanderbilt University Q & A, Singer Says "Okay," They Play "New York State Of Mind"

Billy Joel recently visited Vanderbilt University for a seminar and while taking questions from the audience, one brave soul, Michael Pollack, seized the moment and asked the piano player if he would allow for a budding musician to accompany on "New York State of Mind." The audience laughed at the question but was soon astonished at Joel's simple response: "Okay." Laughter turning to ovation, Pollack ran up to the stage to make one of his biggest dreams come true. Luckily, the whole exchange was caught on tape, including the amazing performance from both parties. Joel seemed to be having a good time as he sported sunglasses for laughs and crooned "like Sinatra" while Pollack showed his idol his talent.

Michael recounted the experience with the Vanderbilt University "Inside Vandy" news blog. He said:

"So I decided I was gonna go see Billy Joel right when we found out he was coming, and as a childhood idol of mine, right away I knew what I wanted to do when we went there. My roommate and I decided that we would try and find a way to get a question to be asked, and see if we could get on stage. And the day came, I put together a question, and I was raising my hand, and my friends to the right of me kept pointing to me, and finally after a few questions he picked on me and I hesitantly said how "New York State of Mind" was my favorite song, and how I had performed it with his saxophonist Richie Cannata in the past and wondered if I could go up and play it with him. And then he thought for a little - he took a second - and then he just said "Okay." Which wasn't quite convincing, but it was good enough. I walked up, we spoke about the arrangement for about 15 seconds - he just went through what he wanted me to play - and then from there, it was just ... foggy. It's hard to remember. I just started playing. I had practiced it a little bit thinking maybe I'd get the chance to go up ... I kind of lost myself playing. Then afterward he said to me ... he said that I was great, where are you from ... and I said, "I'm a Long Islander just like you." He was like, "Cool." Then I walked off, and that was it ... It was probably the greatest moment of my life, up to date."

This seminar was titled: "An Evening of Questions and Answers and a Little Bit of Music." Also, Pollack recently signed with performing rights organization, BMI and is already writing songs.