“WHY DO WE FEEL THAT HE BELONGS TO ALL OF US?” GARTH TALKS ABOUT HIS FRIEND IN “BILLY JOEL: AND SO IT GOES”

Garth has counted Billy Joel as a friend for many years, and he had the chance to offer his insights on the music legend’s career in Billy Joel: And So It Goes, currently streaming on HBO Max.  The two-part documentary takes an In-depth look at Joel’s music career and personal life and includes exclusive interviews, performance footage, home movies, and photos from his personal collection.

“There are so many things I love about the Billy Joel doc because as an artist, I can relate,” Garth says.  “His struggles with his label...that's every artist's kind of journey there. The label has an idea for you, and you have your own thoughts, so naturally, there are going to be disagreements.  I love how in the middle of these disagreements, Billy still has to be a songwriter, singer and performer, though his studio mates or road family never sees that part of the gig or feels what's going on.”

Garth and Billy Joel’s friendship goes back decades, beginning with Garth’s recording of “Shameless” from Joel’s Storm Front album, which became a #1 country hit.  They dueted on “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)” and “New York State of Mind” at Garth’s Central Park concert in 1997. They performed “Shameless” at Billy’s concert commemorating the closing of  Shea Stadium in 2008 and at Garth’s induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2013, Garth performed “Allentown” and “Goodnight Saigon” at the Kennedy Center Honors event for Joel.  They also share a friend in music video and concert TV special director Jon Small, who is featured in the documentary.