DERRINGER DISCOVERIES
EP86: Billy Joel with Special Guest Max Weinman
EPISODE OVERVIEW
Get ready to celebrate the legacy of one of music’s most iconic storytellers - Billy Joel. As news breaks that the Piano Man is undergoing treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), Team Derringer takes a heartfelt and humorous dive into his extraordinary catalog. But this isn’t your typical “greatest hits” tribute.
We’re joined by a very special guest: 22-year-old singer-songwriter and pianist Max Weinman from Arizona. Max doesn’t just admire Billy Joel - he channels his spirit. With a striking resemblance to a young Billy and a musical sensibility to match, Max brings a fresh, passionate perspective to Joel’s work.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Max shares how he first discovered Billy Joel and how the Piano Man shaped his own songwriting journey.
- He rates his fandom on a scale from 1 to 10 (spoiler: it’s high).
- And he reveals his Top 3 favorite Billy Joel songs - none of which were chart-toppers. That’s right: no “Piano Man,” no “Uptown Girl,” no “Just the Way You Are.” Instead, Max takes us deep into the vault with three underrated gems that deserve the spotlight.
But that’s not all.
After the countdown, we flip the mic and shine a light on Max’s own music. Laura, Paul, and Alton each choose a track from Max’s 2024 debut album - “Julia,” “In Our Silence,” and “A Sonata for Yesterday” - and invite Max to share the stories behind the songs. It’s a powerful moment of connection between musical generations.
Whether you’re a lifelong Billy Joel fan or discovering Max Weinman for the first time, this episode is a celebration of melody, memory, and musical storytelling.
WANT TO JOIN THE SHOW?
Be a Special Guest
Want to be a Special Guest like Max? All you need is enthusiasm and a love for Derringer Discoveries! (Plus, subscribing to our newsletter and listening regularly helps!)
Be a Featured Music Artist
To be featured as a Musical Artist on Derringer Discoveries, you'll need 10,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify.
How to Get Involved:
Want to be a Special Guest? Drop us a line at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com with the major artist you'd like us to feature, plus your Top 5 favorite songs by that artist.
Want to be a Featured Music Artist? Send us an email and include a Spotify link to your music at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: BILL JOEL INSPIRED
This episode features a Spotify playlist celebrating songs from the episode, plus other global artists who inspire us. If you're an artist inspired by this episode, send us a Spotify link to your song - if it fits the format and is a solid track, we’ll add it to the playlist (as long as you're a regular Derringer Discoveries listener!).

The theme song for Derringer Discoveries is Your Sister's Room by the band, Ho Jo Fro.
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