Episode 3: Barrister to Broadway. How Matthew Friedman Pursued His Dream of Becoming A Full-Time Musician and Landed a Role in Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Musical, Movin' Out.

Focusing on Hook #47 in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Matthew Friedman shares how he transformed from practicing law in New York City to playing the role of the Piano Man in Movin’ Out on Broadway. A tale complete with rockstar encounters, overcoming naysayers, building skill and confidence, witnessing tragedy, and years of waiting and hoping, Matthew’s story exemplifies the patience and persistence needed to pursue a dream and greater purpose.

Matthew Friedman is a singer/composer/multi-instrumentalist from New York, NY. Matthew was “The Piano Man” for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd National Tours of Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Tony Award-winning musical, Movin’ Out, performing across the United States, Canada, and Japan. He was one of only eleven people to hold this position, dating back to the show’s premiere in 2002. He also played keyboards for Jersey Boys on Broadway for more than eight years and the guitar/keyboard chair for the most recent production of Smoky Joe’s Cafe. Matthew leads his corporate event band, Stiletto, which covers the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, and other classic rock greats. He also performs dueling pianos all over the eastern seaboard. In 2019, he was invited to play the part of “The Piano Man” once again—this time for the legendary Lords of 52nd Street, Billy Joel’s original band.

Matt Wilson gained national exposure as the “Piano Man” in the First National Tour of the Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Tony-award-winning musical Movin’ Out. In 2005, the Texas State Senate honored Matt with a resolution for his achievements in Fine Arts, and he was accepted to the 2016 - 2018 Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster. Matt continues to tour with his band, headlining numerous public, private, and social events of all sizes. 

In 2021, Matt released his first book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, available on Amazon and iBooks.