My introduction to Billy Joel was the sitcom ‘Bosom Buddies' with Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari. I know that the show really wasn't for kids, but something about the tricks of two men dressing up as women hit my funny bone. I was also a big fan of ‘Three's Company' so thinking back I wonder what my parents were thinking when it came to their six year olds TV habits.

The theme song to ‘Bosom Buddies' struck a nerve with me and I would run around the house singing ‘Keep it to yourself…it's my life' at the top of my lungs. I didn't know who Billy Joel was but I sure liked his song. One day my older sister told me that the guy singing it was Billy Joel and I learned that there was a Billy Joel album available.

My little mind began to spin. I could buy this Billy Joel album and listen to my favorite song all the time on my Disney record player. If I had the Billy Joel album, I could hear the song without waiting once a week for ‘Bosom Buddies' to come on. I had to figure out a way to buy the Billy Joel album.

I only made 50 cents a week in allowance and I figured at that rate it would take years to buy the Billy Joel album. I just knew that I had to have it, so I started a campaign of everyday jobs to show my parents I deserved a larger payment.

I swept the floor, dusted, did dishes, made my bed, and even walked the dog. Surely my parents could see that I was up to something, but they also knew a good thing when they saw it and didn't let on. Finally my mother said that she thought I deserved a treat and when I told her I wanted a record, we made plans to go to the shopping center. I am sure she expected me to pick out one of my little story 45's that cost a dollar, but she hid her surprise when I marched up to the counter with my new Billy Joel album.