KINKY FRIEDMAN HITS THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN AN IMPROBABLE BID FOR TEXAS GOVERNOR ON CMT’S “GO KINKY,” PREMIERING FEBRUARY 17
01/25/06
“Go Kinky” Features Friends and Future Cabinet Members, Including Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Delbert McClinton, Ray Benson and More
An Independent Candidate and Political Amateur, the Kinkster Asks: “How Hard Can it Be?”
NASHVILLE – January 25, 2005 – CMT goes on the campaign trail with the improbable and politically incorrect Kinky Friedman in his bid for Texas governor in two half-hour specials, GO KINKY, premiering Friday, February 17 at 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight, ET/PT. Humorist, musician, author, cowboy and self-proclaimed “leader for the little fellers, not the Rockefellers,” Kinky Friedman longs to see the Lone Star shine again. CMT follows the Kinkster in his run for governor as one of the great political stories in Texas history unfolds – or unravels.
“I’m running for governor, not God. I can’t screw things up any worse than they already are,” says Friedman. “I’m gonna de-wussify Texas if I gotta do it one wuss at a time.”
GO KINKY captures the gubernatorial campaign of Richard “Kinky” Friedman, a Jewish cowboy inspired by political greats such as President John F. Kennedy, and “every man’s horse,” Seabiscuit. An independent candidate and political amateur, Friedman counts bikers, former presidents and country music stars among his tight circle of friends and supporters. GO KINKY features friends and future cabinet members Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Delbert McClinton, Ray Benson and more.
Fed up with politicians, Friedman’s unusual political platform includes abolishing political correctness, “De-wussification,” appointing Willie Nelson as a cabinet member and head of the Texas Rangers, and tapping his Palestinian hairstylist as the Texan ambassador to Israel. The Kinkster’s campaign slogan sums it all up in five short words: “How hard can it be?”
Kinky Friedman first entered the national spotlight in the 1970s as the frontman for his country band, The Texas Jewboys, who toured with Bob Dylan and distinguished their music with hits such as “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore.” In the 1980s, Friedman began writing mystery novels about none other than a Jewish country singer turned private detective. Although his alter-ego died in the final of 17 books last year, Friedman is seeking something bigger. The Kinkster officially announced his run for governor of Texas in February 2005.
GO KINKY is helmed by the producing team of Wayne Miller and David Steinberg. Steinberg has directed critically acclaimed episodes of “Friends,” “Newhart,” “Seinfeld,” “Mad About You,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” among others. John Fitzgerald serves as executive producer for CMT.
For more information on GO KINKY and Kinky Friedman, visit CMT.com
CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 78.7 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.CMT.com.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Murphy (615) 335-8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
