Kinky Friedman returns to Southern California on BiPolar Tour

Texas musician, author, politician, animal rights activist and all-around raconteur Kinky Friedman will return to Southern California in December on his BiPolar Tour. The tour will cover a wide swath of the Midwest and West Coast, including a Dec. 7 date at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.

Friedman, who first gained notoriety in the 1970s with his band Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys, became a successful writer of mystery novels, most of them starring himself and his cronies.

He also has famously run for office at several levels in Texas politics, first as justice of the peace of Kerrville, and later angling for governor against Rick Perry, who launched an unsuccessful bid to be the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

Among Friedman’ s one-liner campaign slogans: “How Hard Could It Be?” and “Why the Hell Not?” He also vowed that were he elected, “As the first Jewish governor, I’ll reduce the speed limit to $54.95!”

To those who downplayed the seriousness of his political aspirations because of his career as a humorist, Friedman retorted, “Ask yourself which do you prefer: a governor who can tell a joke, or a governor who is a joke?’”

Friedman recently collaborated with longtime friend and fellow Texan Willie Nelson on the book “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road,” due for publication on Nov. 13.

Friedman uses his Twitter account, @TheRealKinkster, mostly to flag upcoming performances, but sent out this advisory ahead of a Thanksgiving show last year in Salado, Texas: “If you know anyone who plays accordion, please have them report to the Old Salado Springs Music Hall for rehearsal. After we leave, please.”

As for the name of the tour, look to something Friedman has said about his home state of Texas. “We’re not backwards; we are bipolar. If a guy like me was ever elected, it would be transformational. There would be no death penalty. Often I speak to Christians about this. I tell them, ‘I apologize: I’m sorry you’ve got to hear this from a Jew. But remember, folks: That’s who you heard it from the first time.’ ”

The latest leg of the tour starts Nov. 30 in Kansas City, Mo., and runs until Dec. 20 in Eugene, Ore. In addition to the McCabe’s date, Friedman will play a run of Southland shows including Dec. 8 in Santa Ynez, Dec. 9 in Ventura, Dec. 10 in Solana Beach and Dec. 11 in Bakersfield.

The full itinerary is on Friedman’s website.

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