Big Shot a Big Hit

Anthony might be movin' out, but 20,000 people moved into Tobay Beach for a performance from Big Shot, the ultimate Billy Joel tribute band.

The group performed the legendary Long Island rocker's songs as part of "Music Under the Stars" on Tuesday.

"We try to do the hits," lead singer and pianist Michael DelGuidice said of Big Shot's continually changing set list, which varies for different audiences.

The band certainly knew how to please. From the first lines of the opening song, "Miami 2017,"audience members were singing and dancing along to the Piano Man's most popular tunes.

They also had the singer's act down cold. If you were far away from the stage, you might mistake Big Shot for Joel himself.

DelGuidice matched Joel note for note as he climbed the scale to sing the lyrics "been high in the Rockies under the evergreens," from "New York State of Mind."

His voice was just as raspy as the Piano Man's when he asked "Why do I go to extremes?" And his piano skills seemed effortless even under the fastest tempos.

"[Billy Joel] would love it," resident Joanna Heacphy said, "They're exactly like him."

"New York State of Mind," with its phenomenal sax solo and "I Go to Extremes'" quick paced piano portions were just two of many crowd pleasers.

Listeners seemed to enjoy being taken through "Scenes of an Italian Restaurant" as they were swaying and chanting "Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh" in the midst of Brenda and Eddie's relationship.

"I love doing that one. It has more to it," DelGuidice said of the three-part song.

Of course, a tribute to Billy Joel would not be complete without favorites such as "Uptown Girls" and "We Didn't Start the Fire." Both were performed towards the show's conclusion, and audience members young and old were on their feet.

Big Shot has also been doing "a lot of different music," recently according to DelGuidice.  The band also performed hits such as Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," and "Tiny Dancer" from Joel's frequent touring partner, Elton John.

DelGuidice  has also been working on his own original songs and performed the melodic, heartfelt song "Over and Over Again" from his CD "Miller Place."

Big Shot's biggest performance thus far left all audience members in a New York State of Mind.