BAKER CITY — Jack Willhite started his performing career as a stand-up comedian.

But his musical background kept showing up.

“Whatever about you is unique comes bubbling up through your show,” he said.

He started ending his show with some sort of musical act, mainly impersonating Tom Petty and Bob Dylan.

“It got such a different reaction,” he said.

So he added a bit more music, and over the years his show has evolved into a combination of comedy and rock ‘n’ roll with costume changes, five different guitars and a cast of impersonations.

“A cross between Weird Al and your favorite rock tribute band,” he said. “It’s high energy, it’s clean, it’s goofy. It’s pretty crazy.”

He’ll perform Friday, April 18, at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $25 at the door. Admission is free for ages 15 and younger who attend with a paid adult.

It took a while for his show to evolve into the version he now tours 45 weeks a year.

“It’s been a long curve to get the show where it is,” he said. “Characters have changed over the years to make the show current.”

He said at least 80% of the audience will recognize the musicians he portrays on stage.

“The craziest ones are the easiest,” he said.

With light costume changes, he sings in the styles of Ozzy Osbourne, Axl Rose, Billy Idol and AC/DC. His songs are a parody of popular music by the musicians or bands.

“It’s gotta be something corny that people can relate to, and it’s funny,” Willhite said.

When developing an act, he first creates the song parody, then determines how to visually replicate the musician on stage with clothing and specific instruments. He doesn’t perform the full songs — more often a verse or two, plus the chorus.

For instance, he turned “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival into a song about food poisoning. He keeps the rhymes similar, but changes the words.

Inspiration can come from anywhere.

“It strikes and I start playing around with the lyrics,” he said.

His career has spanned 20 years.

“This is something vastly different than what’s out there,” he said. “And it’s fun for me, too.