Kinky Bio

In 1973, after graduating from a highly selective University of Texas Honors program (in which he says most of the participants were recognized by characteristic facial ticks), and serving a two year stint in the jungles of Borneo with the Peace Corps; Kinky formed his infamous band, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys, a country band with a social message.

Kinky’s original songs like “Get your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed” (awarded Male Chauvinist Pig of the Year in 1974 by the National Organization of Women) and “They Ain’t Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore”, for example, earned The Jewboys a notorious reputation. Helping to promote that reputation, Kinky and The Jewboys were introduced as the first full blooded Jews to ever play the Grand Ole Opry; they were involved in the first skirmish of the little known Jewish - American Indian war by offending Buffy Saint Marie while on stage in San Francisco; his band received threats (including bomb threats) from not-so admiring fans and they were invited to leave several performances much earlier than scheduled.

Choosing to leave the rigors of music behind, Kinky began entertaining his fans by writing mystery novels. He has written 15 to date and garnered praise from reviews around the globe. His list of fans include: First Lady Laura Bush, President Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Larry McMurtry.

While Kinky continues to perform his timeless music and publish his novels, he is also a featured columnist for Texas Monthly and silent partner in an independent record label, Sphincter Records. His ‘pet project’ is Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch (he is the founder) where he lends his time and support to taking in and caring for stray, abused, homeless or aging animals.