Texas tornado Kinky Friedman blows into Birchmere
By: Emily Cary
Special to the Examiner
November 18, 2009
If you goIt's not every day a hip, progressive, front-running Democratic candidate for governor bursts into the Birchmere.Kinky Friedman stars in "An Evening of Music and Musing"
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Friedman's latest books will be available for purchase after the show.
Kinky Freidman does Wednesday, with an outrageously funny cabaret show bulging with music, satire and nostalgia. The Kinkster is aided and abetted by keyboardist Little Jewford and Lebanese guitarist Washington Ratso, who does triple duty on the keyboard, melodica and occasional kazoo and also serves as Friedman's partner in devising solutions to the Middle East problems.
"We have a different kind of well-honed show with plenty of humor, but a lot of my songwriting skills are front and center," the man known as the Frank Zappa of country music said. "Some numbers the audience will enjoy are 'Rapid City, South Dakota' and 'Wild Man from Borneo.' On a more serious note, I'll share entertaining accounts of my childhood heroes and wisdom from Winston Churchill and some of the other animal lovers in my 'Celebrity Pet Files.' "
Wickedly irreverent before his doting fans, Friedman is a soft-hearted sucker for homeless and maltreated animals. A portion of his land is set aside for the 500-acre Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, a welcoming home for four-footed friends and two-legged fowls of all descriptions. He dotes on a cat named Lucky, "the spirit of Utopia."
"Lucky lost her leg to a great white hunter," he said. "It had to be amputated, but she has such a brave spirit that she's even killed a couple of rattlesnakes. Right now we have 60 dogs, all mutts, and are always busy getting pets adopted by other animal lovers."
Early in childhood, Friedman realized humor was the best way to shrink problems impossible to ignore. His bright, questioning mind sought out music and chess and, at the age of 7, he was the youngest player to challenge the United States grandmaster. He formed his first band, King Arthur and the Carrots, at the University of Texas, and after graduating with a major in psychology, he utilized his multiple skills by joining the Peace Corps to teach in Borneo.
Upon his return, he formed his second band, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys, and quickly became a cult country and western favorite. His social commentary is served up with humor in such ballads as "Ride 'em Jewboy," his tribute to Holocaust victims, and "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore," a satire about racism.
Armed with a typewriter, he supplemented his musical career with a series of detective novels set in Greenwich Village filled with crimes, jokes and wisdom by the private eye hero aptly named Kinky Freeman. Along the way, he was honored by the Mark Twain House and Museum as the featured speaker for the "Pen Warmed up in Hell Lecture Series." His latest book, "Heroes of a Texas Childhood," pays homage to the famous and unknown people who understand what is important in life.
"Sam Houston is best known for his many military and political accomplishments, but he always said he did the most good for the world as a teacher at the age of 19," Friedman said. "When I'm governor of Texas, I'll elevate the role of teacher and make certain students know about great people like Barbara Jordan and Audie Murphy."
His reputation for embellishing the truth with humor and concern for his fellow man and beasts has endeared him to those who support his serious run for governor.
"It's time for Rick Perry to get the lampshade off his head," he said. "The party's over and I'm gong to win because my platform to do away with the death penalty is supported by Willie Nelson and other wise human beings."
