McGuigan Puts it All Together with billymcguiganTOGETHER

When the pandemic brought a halt to his touring, Billy McGuigan had plenty of time to think “a lot about life, career, family, love and most importantly truth”.  These thoughts unleashed a wave of creativity which had him taking a page out of Paul McCartney’s playbook and create an album where he is virtually the sole creative force (writer, performer, instrumentalist and producer) and the end result is billymcguiganTOGETHER.

This album is a gem.  It draws inspiration from so many different sources that I wonder if McGuigan was aware of them all.  But a sampling of the sources include rock, country, the Beatles (as well as Paul and John in their solo years), Ben Folds, Buddy Holly, the Eagles and the Beach Boys just to name a few.  Add to this McGuigan’s own potent ability as a performer, songwriter, singer and storyteller and you have something that I consider to be genius.  And the key that holds it all together is that McGuigan speaks from the heart and that vulnerability is what gives this album its true power.

Each song is elegantly constructed and beautifully layered as McGuigan plays a minimum of 19 different instruments over the course of the album and even learned bass and drums to build his songs.  Listening to this album was like watching a fantastic play.  It’s serious where it should be.  Funny where it needs to be.  Hard hitting where it’s gotta be and just plain fun.  McGuigan’s songs will definitely evoke memories of your own life and help you make a real connection with these numbers.

Truthfully, there isn’t a weak number on the album, but some real standouts include the album’s emotional opener, “After All”, a tribute to McGuigan’s father, Bill; “Baby, Wont You Leave Me” which tells the true story of a man begging his girlfriend to leave because she keeps breaking his heart; the touching “For You, Too” which sounds like and may very well be a loving tribute to McGuigan’s children; the sweet “Little Metal Shed” which is a love song dedicated to McGuigan’s girlfriend; the humorous “This Trailer Park Was My Home” where McGuigan reflects on his own childhood and manages to turn the cliches of country music on their head at the same time; his Buddy Holly tribute “Me and Peggy Sue”; and his “throat scratcher”, “Wait A Bit Longer Now”.

But for me, the real showstopper was “Together”.  This song made me physically shudder and nearly pause it.  Surprising considering its upbeat nature, but it’s a beautiful song of hope and about sticking together after loved ones have passed on and its refrain of “with a hug and some love” caused me to tear up a bit as it sounds exactly like what a dearly departed friend of mine might have said in life.

billymcguiganTOGETHER is not only a great listen and an emotional roller coaster of an album, it is also, and this is not hyperbole, one of the best albums of which I have had the privilege of listening.  You will be doing yourself a true disservice if you don’t give it a chance.

billymcguiganTOGETHER is available now and can be purchased at www.billymcguigan.com.

Revamped Rock Twist Set to Sizzle at OCP

Omaha, NE.—Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist will open Friday, Aug. 2 at the Omaha Community Playhouse. The show will run in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre from Aug. 2 through 18. Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

A high-energy concoction of rock ‘n’ roll mega hits with a big band twist, Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist is a live concert experience covering everything from The Beach Boys to Billy Joel. This summer’s show features an all-new set list and introduces the Pop Rock Orchestra—a 15-piece lineup of all-star musicians.

MCGUIGAN’S 500TH PERFORMANCE

Billy McGuigan will celebrate his 500th Omaha Community Playhouse performance on Saturday, August 17 during Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist.

McGuigan, now an internationally-recognized touring musician, first appeared on the OCP stage in Sweet Charity in 1994. But it was his portrayal of Buddy Holly that truly jumpstarted his career. After starring in Buddy:  The Buddy Holly Story in 2002, McGuigan decided to produce his own original Buddy Holly tribute show, and Rave On! was born. The show was wildly successful, appearing in ten different seasons at OCP over the next two decades.

Lightning struck again for McGuigan with the creation of yet another OCP fan favorite—Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience. This iconic all-request Beatles tribute show has run for 12 consecutive seasons at OCP and is set to return for 2019.

Tickets to Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist—including McGuigan’s 500th show on August 17th—are available online at OmahaPlayhouse.com or through the OCP Box Office at (402) 553-0800 or 6915 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68132.  Tickets begin at $42 ($32 for season subscribers) and vary by performance and seating zone.

Rock Twist and Shout

It’s rock numbers done with a big band flair.  It’s big band numbers done rock style.  It’s Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist and it is rocking out at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

If there is anyone out there who harbors any doubts about the talent of Billy McGuigan, they will surely be dispelled after watching this show.  Putting it simply, this man is a musical and performing savant.  There isn’t a genre of music he can’t play.  He has stage presence for which directors would kill.  He has a charming affability which makes you feel like an old friend spending an evening at his house.

Even I, who has had the pleasure of listening to Billy’s shows pretty regularly over the past 15 years, was completely blown away by this production.  It has something for everyone.  Do you like rock?  Well, you’ll get to hear the Beatles, the Who, the Beach Boys, Elvis, and Billy Joel.  Is adult contemporary/jazz your bag?  You’ll hear some Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr.  And each song has a unique arrangement that will make it seem like you’re hearing it for the first time all over again.

From the opening number of Billy Joel’s “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”, Billy had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.  His pure tenor soared throughout the night as he sang renditions of “Yesterday”, “Luck be a Lady”, “God Only Knows”, “Time Won’t Let Me”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Pinball Wizard” and a cover of “Here, There, and Everywhere” supported only by bass and percussion that was so moving that I started to tear up a bit.

Billy was just as adept keeping the audience’s attention between numbers with a low key storytelling style as he shared stories behind the numbers, regaled us with some humorous anecdotes, and told a couple of tender tales about his career and life.

Every good front man needs an excellent band and McGuigan’s band brought it and then some.  Steve Gomez’s bass hummed all night long and his musical direction was so precise and on target.  Andrew Janak stunned on the tenor saxophone and I tip my hat to him for arranging all of these sensational numbers.  Max Meyer’s lead guitar work was the feat of a prodigy.  Tomm Roland’s drum work never missed a beat.  Omaha legend, Doyle Tipler, never fell flat with his trumpeting.  Patrick Brown shined on the alto sax and Patrick Peters’ trombone playing couldn’t have been any tighter.  Tara Vaughan’s piano playing is always a treat for the ears and her rich alto got its own moment to shine with a medley of “Downtown” and “To Sir, With Love”.  Backup vocals were supplied by the multitalented trio of Matthew and Ryan McGuigan and Jessica Errett who dazzled in their own featured songs, “634-5789” and “We’re Going to a Go-Go”.  And I’d like to give special notice to Steve Wheeldon whose lighting was so atmospheric and enhanced every song.

To be frank, when I first heard about Billy’s new show I thought he had taken on a real challenge for himself by putting new twists on old classics.  But he proved why he is Omaha’s premiere entertainer with this brand new show that will undoubtedly be another roaring success.  My only disappointment was that there wasn’t another hour to this show.  Or two.  Perhaps five.  Well, you get the idea.  This show only has a limited run, so get your tickets fast and prepare yourselves for an amazing time.

Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist plays at the Omaha Playhouse from July 12-23.  Showtimes are Wed-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets cost $40 or $35 for groups of 12 or more.  For tickets, contact the box office at 402-553-0800 or visit www.omahaplayhouse.com or www.ticketomaha.com.  The Omaha Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass Street in Omaha, NE.