Kinky Friedman

He is one of the most colourful figures ever to have run for public office in the United States or Canada. Campaigning with the slogan ‘ My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy’ and ‘He ain’t Kinky, he’s my Governor’, Kinky Friedman, the black-hatted, cigar-chomping, country and western singer advocated in favour of gay marriage and abortion and also the teaching of prayer in schools. His efforts gave him nearly 13% of the vote in a contest that was eventually won by Republican Rick Perry. Born in Chicago, Kinky’s parents moved to Texas so his father could join the teaching faculty at the University of Texas at Austin. Kinky also attended the University of Texas where he formed his first band King Arthur and the Carrots, however it was the name of his second band that gathered the most attention, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. The brand of music, country rock, and the satirical lyrics won him a recording contract and appearances on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits and an invitation to join Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. In the 1980’s Friedman turned his talents to writing detective stories, and has since penned over 15 novels. He has his own brand of cigars and will soon be introducing his own line of vodka. Ken Rockburn spoke to Kinky Friedman at his ranch about an hour’s drive outside of San Antonio.