Five things to know about Texas singer and songwriter 'Kinky' Friedman before El Paso show

Singer and songwriter Richard "Kinky" Friedman will perform Friday in El Paso in support of his new album, "Resurrection."

Friedman will perform at Star City Studio Productions, 120 W. Castellano Drive. Cleve Hattersley, of Greezy Wheels fame, will open at 7:30 p.m. Hattersley has a new book, "Life is a Butt Dial," which tells the tales of his and Friedman's adventures together. He will perform songs with his wife, Sweet Mary, and read from his book.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $40.

Here are five things to know about the colorful character known as Kinky, or the Kinkster, who always has something to say and might not be for everyone.

He's Willie Nelson's smoking buddy

His new album features a song with Willie Nelson. The two have been friends for a long time and Kinky has joked that he doesn't smoke week unless it's with Nelson.

The two have worked together before, including their song, "Bloody Mary Morning."

Nelson has covered Kinky Friedman's "Ride 'Em Jewboy," a song written about the Holocaust. Friedman even did an interview of his friend for Rolling Stone in 1991.

Nelson joins Friedman on the title track, "Resurrection."

Work might offend some El Pasoans

Kinky wrote a song about El Paso some years ago. If you hear it now, it might come across as offensive. The song, "A**hole from El Paso," was a parody of "Okie from Muskogee," by Merle Haggard. The song talks about streets being knee-deep in tacos and used derogatory terms for immigrants. He has a DVD titled, "Proud to Be an A**Hole from El Paso."

Ran for governor of Texas

Kinky likes to dabble in politics. The cigar-smoking, Texas cowboy was quite the candidate in 2006, running against then-Republican Gov. Rick Perry as an Independent. 

He was in favor of closing the border and supported gay marriage. In fact, he was known for having some colorful campaign sayings.

“I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us,” he is quoted as saying.

'Kinky' also writes books

He is quite the author. Friedman is particularly known for writing the Kinky Friedman series, a series of 18 books about a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, who happens to be named Kinky. He also has written for Texas Monthly and other publications.

He's also been written about. After meeting with him at his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Kerrville for several days and nights, author Mary Lou Sullivan got the chance to write his biography, "Everything's Bigger in Texas: The Life and Times of Kinky Friedman."

He has his own action figure

He has an action figure. Who knows how many still are floating around, but a 12-inch talking figure of Friedman was made when he was running for governor.

According to the packaging, the figure uttered many of his popular sayings is his own voice. And it included such fine details as a big ol' Texas belt buckle and cigar.

A quick search on the Internet revealed a figure in mint condition can run as much as $39.99. A signed one bumps it up another $15. Not bad, Kinkster.

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María Cortés González covers entertainment and trending news in the El Paso area. She may be reached at 915-546-6150; mgonzalez@elpasotimes.com. Support more coverage like this with a subscription.