Kinky Friedman to Celebrate Release of New Album CIRCUS OF LIFE at NYC City Winery, July 8

At long last, Kinky Friedman's second musical act begins. With the proclamation that here "is what music was, before it came homogenized, trivialized and sanitized," Kinky is dropping his first all-new CD of original tunes in four decades. Called Circus of Life, it presents a side of Kinky that few would have suspected in the halcyon days of his Texas Jewboys, laying perhaps legit claim to the title "The Leonard Cohen of Texas." On July 3, 2018, he will release it on his own terms and on his own Echo Hill Records.

A monster summer tour will follow in June, July, and August. Yep, Kinky is finally doing it his way. Harking to his early years, he has chosen to ignore the Nashville ethos that all must be concertedly "radio friendly," sweetened, and over-produced. What he and producer Brian Molnar have delivered is simply one of the most beautiful albums of this year or any other. The first single, "Autographs in the Rain (Song to Willie)"is already in heavy rotation on SiriusXM Outlaw Country, and there are at least four more top-shelf A sides.

Speaking of Molnar, he will be touring as Kinky's opening act for most, if not all shows, promoting his new CD, Within Blue, also on the Echo Hill Records imprint. Kinky and Brian have worked a number of tours together and now deliver a seamless performance, opener to headliner.

It started with a call from Willie (Nelson, of course), who asked Kinky what he was doing at that moment. Kinky answered truthfully that he was watching Matlock, the old TV chestnut, to which Willie replied, "That is a sure sign of depression, Kinky. Turn Matlock off and start writing."

Kinky did just that and started writing the songs he hadn't written or even contemplated for decades, tunes like "Jesus in Pajamas," "Me and My Guitar," and "A Dog Named Freedom." After writing several songs, Kinky called Willie to let him know how successful his advice had been. When Kinky asked Willie how he was doing, Willie replied, "A little up, a little down. By the way Kinky, what channel is Matlockon?" The Circus of Life, by way of Matlock. Via Willie.

With Joe Cirotti on multiple instruments, and Mickey Raphael, Augie Meyers, original Jewboy Little Jewford, Clay Meyers, and Jim Beal providing amazing grace notes, not a single track on the album fails to reach its very high mark. Kinky may "just have to stick with songwriting" after all. To verify this, he's taking it on the road for one of the longest, most comprehensive tours of his storied career. After flash mob-style appearances in Galveston, Houston and Nacogdoches, Texas, the Circus of Life Tour begins in earnest in Pittsburgh, and rumor has it that it will continue on forever. Yes, the second act has begun. May it never end.

Tour dates:
Wed., June 20 NACOGDOCHES, TX Banita Creek Hall

Thurs., June 21 GALVESTON, TX Old Quarter

Fri., June 22 HOUSTON, TX McGonigel's Mucky Duck

Sun., July 1 PITTSBURGH, PA Club Cafe

Mon., July 2 ROARING SPRING, PA The Hungry Duck

Tues.-Wed., July 3-4 CLEVELAND, OH Nighttown

Thurs., July 5 COLUMBUS, OH Woodlands Tavern

Fri., July 6 BUFFALO, NY Buffalo Ironworks

Sat., July 7 PAWLING, NY Daryl's House Club

Sun., July 8 NEW YORK, NY The City Winery

Mon., July 9 WASHINGTON, DC The City Winery

Tues., July 10 JERSEY CITY, NJ Monty Hall

Wed., July 11 FALL RIVER, MA The Narrows

Thurs., July 12 COLLINSVILLE, CT Bridge Street Live

Fri., July 13 CAMBRIDGE, MA Club Passim

Sat., July 14 BLAIRSTOWN, NJ Roy's Hall

Sun., July 15 NEW HAVEN, CT Cafe Nine

Mon., July 16 SELLERSVILLE, PA Sellersville Theater

Tues., July 17 ANNAPOLIS, MD Rams Head On Stage

Thurs., July 19 WOODSTOCK, NY Bearsville Theater

Fri., July 20 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY Caffe Lena

Sat., July 21 RINGWOOD, NJ Live at Drew's House

Sun., July 22 PIERMONT, NY The Turning Point
Sun., July 29 SAN ANTONIO, TX Period Modern

Mon., July 30 DALLAS, TX Poor David's Pub

Tues., July 31 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Blue Door

Wed., Aug. 1 TULSA, OK Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Thurs., Aug. 2 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads, The Gospel Lounge

Fri., Aug. 3 POMEROY, IA Byron's

Sat., Aug. 4 MADISON, WI Kiki's House of Righteous Music

Sun., Aug. 5 CHICAGO, IL Space

Mon., Aug. 6 MILWAUKEE, WI Shank Hall

Tues., Aug. 7 ST. PAUL, MN Turf Club

Thurs., Aug. 9 ST. LOUIS, MO Off Broadway

Sat., Aug. 11 DENVER, CO Hi-Dive

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