Comedians, musicians honor the life of Nebraska performer Brad Stewart

(Photos courtesy James Dean and Staci Nicole)

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska comedians, musicians and community members came together to remember and honor comedian Brad Stewart on Sunday.

Stewart was an Arapahoe native who moved to Los Angeles and eventually became the opening act for Joan Rivers.

He moved back to Nebraska to tend to his ailing parents, and he remained in Lincoln after their deaths, helping build the state's local comedy scene.

Stewart died of pancreatic cancer last month at the age of 48.

Besides loving standup comedy, he was also passionate about live music, and some of his favorite comedians and bands paid tribute in a lively event for hundreds of people Sunday night at Lincoln's Bourbon Theatre.

Among those helping pay tribute were local and national performers, including Kyle Kinane.