Reflections from Terry Shaw and his band’s tribute performance to Billy Joel

Published October 12, 2026

One of the greatest things about Terry Shaw and his band—including Jon Balsley, Rick Jarvela, Cal Neal, John Martin, and Ben Martin—is that they consistently perform with incredible musicality, heart, and passion. Their shows inspire roars of well-deserved applause, and for good reason! These performances sell out time and time again, and people even show up holding signs to cheer Terry and the band on. These guys are truly wonderful, inside and out, and they are some of my favorite performers in town!

Since I’m not particularly familiar with Billy Joel’s musical catalog, I always come to these tribute concerts curious about what I’ll discover this time, which makes the experience even more exciting. More seasoned Joel fans, meanwhile, arrive eager to hear their favorite hits, sing along, and dance with friends and family. Both are equally special!

Somewhere in my psyche, I imagine a cynic arguing that this kind of consistent greatness would eventually get boring, but they would be wrong. This is why:

The beauty of Terry Shaw and his band is that every performance feels distinct because of the thoughtfulness and intentionality they pour into their music-making.

Roughly six months ago, Terry and the band performed both We Didn’t Start the Fire and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Although I had heard the same group of artists perform these songs twice within a relatively short period, each performance offered a distinctly different experience. Each time, I noticed different musical nuances, lyrical details, and storytelling elements—some that illuminated Billy Joel’s original genius in new ways, and others that revealed the band’s own inspired creative interpretations.

To say this show was practically perfect is to repeat a sentiment I often share when reviewing this extraordinarily gifted group.

This time, though, I feel it is worth taking a closer look at the experience, especially in the context of our current election cycle, and reflecting on (rather than reviewing) what made this event stand out and really speak to the time we live in. In this way, the band fulfills one of music’s greatest purposes: to inspire change, bring people together, and remind us of the power we have to make a difference.

Reflections

Thanks to the Joel-themed musical education Terry and his band have given me, I stepped into this concert with a little more knowledge in my pocket. That familiarity let me tune in more closely to the lyrics, stories, and messages woven throughout Joel’s music, and appreciate not only the melodies but also the deeper meaning behind them.

As Terry Shaw once told me, Joel’s music will always be relevant and timeless because it connects so deeply with the human experience. Historical contexts may change, generations may come and go, and the world around us may look entirely different, but the fundamental themes at the heart of being human remain remarkably consistent, which is why Joel’s music will always resonate with us.

Just read these select lyrics to Joel’s This is the Time:

This is the time to remember
'Cause it will not last forever
These are the days to hold on to
'Cause we won't although we want to

This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you now

Sometimes it's so easy to let a day slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be the days you can never recall

Our world only seems to get busier and crazier as time goes on…I bet every generation has said something to that effect. This is why it is so important to cherish the days we have. Not just to use them to fight for the causes we care about, but soak in the beauty of love and living.

Earlier, I described the intentionality this group of musicians brings to their craft. That quality was especially evident in Ben Martin’s rendition of The Longest Time, which he performed at a slower tempo. To me, this demonstrated not only his musical intelligence but also his emotional sensitivity as a performer. Interestingly, it brought to mind a scene from one of my favorite films, Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby.

In the film, Bing mentors a young woman vocalist who sings The Day After Forever at a quicker tempo, with a bright, almost chirpy quality. He encourages her to slow down, take her time, and truly absorb the music's message, letting each note resonate. By changing the tempo and approaching the song more deliberately, the music's emotional depth comes into sharper focus. The song itself hasn't changed, but the way we experience it has.

Neither interpretation is inherently better or worse. Both have their own charm, and the same is true of Ben Martin’s rendition of The Longest Time and Billy Joel’s original. Each offers something worthwhile, and each invites the listener to experience the song differently.

Now read the lyrics to Honesty:

If you search for tenderness
It isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don't want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can find a lover
I can find a friend
I can have security until the bitter end
Anyone can comfort me
With promises again
I know, I know

When I'm deep inside of me
Don't be too concerned
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
'Cause you're the one I depend upon

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

Seriously, can you think of a more relevant song for these time? Terry Shaw and his band spoke new life into this song, performing it with the literal Olympia Capitol Building in the background. It made me a little misty. The same was true when they sang We Didn’t Start the Fire.

The most anticipated song of the night, for both the band and me, was Goodnight Saigon.

During the concert, Terry Shaw explained that Billy Joel approached writing this song about the Vietnam War with hesitation, feeling inadequate to tell the story because he had neither served in the military nor been drafted. Rather than drawing on his own combat experience, Joel used material that informed the song, ultimately creating a poignant tribute to the men who served in Vietnam and the experiences they endured.

At first, I found it hard to fully absorb the lyrics because of the music's overwhelming emotional weight.

So, I encourage you to listen to the song, read the lyrics below, and then listen again:

We met as soul mates on Parris Island
We left as inmates from an asylum
And we were sharp, as sharp as knives
And we were so gung ho to lay down our lives

We came in spastic like tameless horses
We left in plastic as numbered corpses
And we learned fast to travel light
Our arms were heavy but our bellies were tight

We had no home front, we had no soft soap
They sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob Hope
We dug in deep and shot on sight
And prayed to Jesus Christ with all of our might

We had no cameras to shoot the landscape
We passed the hash pipe and played our Doors tapes
And it was dark, so dark at night
And we held on to each other like brother to brother
We promised our mothers we'd write

And we would all go down together
We said we'd all go down together
Yes, we would all go down together

Remember Charlie, remember Baker
They left their childhood on every acre
And who was wrong? And who was right?
It didn't matter in the thick of the fight

We held the day in the palm of our hands
They ruled the night, and the night
Seemed to last as long as six weeks
On Parris Island
We held the coastline, they held the highlands
And they were sharp, as sharp as knives
They heard the hum of our motors
They counted the rotors
And waited for us to arrive

And we would all go down together
We said we'd all go down together
Yes, we would all go down together

Can you imagine experiencing this song live? It was unlike anything I had ever experienced in a live performance before. The whole thing was unforgettable. The next time Terry Shaw and his band perform their Billy Joel tribute, run, don’t walk, to get your tickets!

Yes, this concert was filled with political inspiration, emotional remembrance, historical context, and a profound appreciation for the human experience, but it was also filled with something equally important: FUN! That side of the evening shone through especially during John Martin’s favorite song, Root Beer Rag.

This song has no lyrics, just ragtime, saloon-style piano accompanied by other delightfully playful instruments! Root Beer Rag celebrates musical traditions of the past that I think deserve far more appreciation, while keeping a lively energy that keeps the piece fresh and engaging.

The band performed Root Beer Rag with such humor and playfulness that it felt like a story they crafted in that moment. Actually, scratch that—they shared something even better: their own story as a band, one built on camaraderie, genuine friendship, and a heartfelt appreciation for one another.

There was something wonderfully mischievous about the way they played together, reminiscent of boys on a playground, delightful in the simple joy of having fun with their friends. Watching them brought an enormous smile to my face. I love that these gentlemen were willing to embrace their inner children while still displaying such musical sophistication and class! After all, it’s called “playing music,” if you catch my drift.

Sitting here now, I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to bring this piece to a close, though I imagine this is a good time to wrap things up before it becomes a whole book!

If you ever get the chance to see Terry Shaw and his band perform, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go. They have so much to offer, and I can promise you each experience will be unique and incredible.

I’m very grateful to have been at this concert and to share the experience with all of you. I hope this piece inspires you not only to reflect on the messages woven throughout these reflections, but also to get out there and experience the arts for yourself.

As Billy Joel would say, “This Is the Time.”