Billy Joel books Jacksonville concert in January

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Billy Joel will headline a solo arena concert in Jacksonville for the first time since 2007 when he performs at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Jan. 22, 2014.

Joel is one of the highest grossing touring artists in the world. Having sold more than 150 million albums globally, Joel's music has remained among the most popular in the world. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth-best-selling recording artist of all time and the third-best-selling solo artist.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 15 and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster, by visiting the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Box Office or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

American Express cardholders can purchase tickets before the general public -- from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 10 p.m. Thursday.

SMG Jacksonville general manager Bill McConnell predicts a full house at the arena.

"We are ready to have Jacksonville back in a New York state of mind, and we are thrilled Billy Joel and Live Nation have chosen to bring this show to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena," McConnell said.

"I think the bigger performers that we get here, it draws more attention to Jacksonville and brings a lot more people downtown," resident Christie Redney said. "I'm a big advocate to that."

Last month, Joel performed is first Long Island concert in 11 years. He also paid tribute to Long Island Cares, the Happauge-based charity founded by Harry Chapin that Joel chose to receive proceeds from the sold-out show. Joel returned to Europe last month for the first time in seven years to perform three shows in the UK and his first-ever indoor concert in Ireland, at the O2 in Dublin. In December, Billy Joel will receive The Kennedy Center Honor, one of the United States' top cultural awards.

Billy Joel has received six Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. He has been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous industry awards. His music has also served as the inspiration and score for the hit, Tony-winning Broadway play "Movin' Out." Joel was honored by Steinway & Sons with a painted portrait that hangs in Steinway Hall in Manhattan. He is the first non-classical pianist to be immortalized in the Steinway Hall collection. Joel played the final concerts at Shea Stadium to more than 110,000 fans. The concerts were featured in the 2010 documentary film, "The Last Play At Shea."