top of page
  • Writer: Crystal Taliefero
    Crystal Taliefero
  • Jun 5

Updated: Jun 6















Hello Family,


It’s been a minute since I’ve blogged, but something happened that stirred something in me—deeply—and I couldn’t stay silent.


As many of you know, I’ve been playing with Billy Joel since 1989. Over the years, he's been more than my boss. He’s been my friend, my mentor, my North Star in this wild, beautiful journey called music. Working with Billy has been nothing short of wonderment—truly. A front-row seat to greatness, yes—but more importantly, a seat at the table with someone who has lived through it all and somehow still manages to give the world his truth in every note he plays.


Last night, my daughter Kodee and I were invited to attend the Opening Night of the Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre for the premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes. I knew it would be special… but I wasn’t ready for how deeply it would move me.


This wasn’t just a film. It was a mirror. A love letter. A confession. A reckoning.

It was Billy—raw, unfiltered, human.


Watching this documentary wasn’t easy. In fact, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The highs. The heartbreak. The brilliance. The burnout. The soaring stages and the quiet nights after the curtain falls. All of it.


You see, most people hear the music, but they don’t always hear the story. The weight behind each lyric. The scars behind the spotlight. The deep cost of vulnerability when your life is played out in public, yet still somehow feels painfully personal.


As someone who’s lived much of my life on stages beside him, I felt every note of this film. Every win. Every wound.


I was proud—so proud—of Billy for opening the door and letting us in. It takes tremendous courage to let the world see the cracks in your armor, especially when you’ve spent a lifetime being the soundtrack to someone else’s healing.


And I was equally proud to sit beside my daughter, Kodee. Because in that moment, I wasn’t just watching a film. I was passing down a story. A legacy. A reminder that while music might be our calling, family is our grounding. The road can be long, the lights can be blinding, but what truly matters are the souls who hold you steady when the encore fades and the silence returns.


To Billy—thank you for your honesty, your fire, your friendship, and for letting us all walk beside you on this extraordinary ride. You have blessed so many of us.


To the musicians and crew members who’ve I've been blessed to work with for decades—thank you. You are more than colleagues. You are family.


And to our fans—those who’ve I seen memorize every Billy Joel lyric from show to show, who’ve passed the music down to their children like a treasured heirloom—thank you. You’ve been the heartbeat on this journey.


With love and gratitude,

Crystal

 
  • Writer: Crystal Taliefero
    Crystal Taliefero
  • Feb 15, 2023

Had a great Valentine Day working for you guys!


 
  • Writer: Crystal Taliefero
    Crystal Taliefero
  • Aug 30, 2022

I can't believe it's been over 30 years since we performed with Billy Joel at iconic Yankee Stadium. What shows those were and what times we had.


Last week, we were invited to attend an exclusive re-edited screening of the legendary concert film in Sag Harbor, NY. The experience was powerful and brought back tons of magic for all of us. The re-edited version is amazing as it was edited in 4K and includes amazing sound upgrades by our very own sound engineer aficionado, Brian Ruggle.


The concert footage was shot on June 22 and 23 at the legendary "House that Ruth Built." The new version has some cool behind-the-scenes footage and awesome interviews that weren't in the original film.


It was an honor attending the screening of the movie, which will hit nationally for two nights only on October 5th and 9th, with my Billy Joel family and remember all the fun times. I never take any of our performances for granted because they have been true blessings in my life.


A lot has happened in my life in the past 30+ years since the show. What I remember most about the Yankee Stadium shows is the electricity of the crowds and the special welcoming we received as we performed for over 60,000 fans in two days.


I hope you all get to experience and relive the magic of what they are calling a "groundbreaking concert film."


There's really nothing like seeing it on the big screen in the theatre, unless it's in person, of course.


It's a privilege to share my night with all of you.

Love you all,

CT







 
bottom of page