Musician and actor Billy McGuigan will be inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame this fall.
McGuigan is known for his portrayal of early rock star Buddy Holly in “Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience.” He had the career-defining opportunity to play Holly in the biographical musical at the Omaha Community Playhouse in 2002, which led to touring the show on his own across the country.
He is also known for creating “Yesterday and Today: A Beatles Interactive Experience” and “Billy McGuigan’s Pop Rock Orchestra” at the Playhouse and then taking them on the road.
His stage career started at Bellevue East High School when he became involved in a teen improvisation group.
The Beatles show grew out of childhood album-listening sessions with his dad, who died of leukemia in 1996. McGuigan’s brothers also are featured in “Yesterday and Today.”
In 2021, he started his own company, “Rave On! …