Kinky Friedman, known for his satirical and often provocative style, has passed away at 79. A post on his social media announced, “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends. Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”
Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman earned a cult following for his unique take on country and Western music. He released numerous albums, starting with “Sold American” in 1973, a record that laid the foundation for his career. Known as the “governor of the heart of Texas,” he even toured with Bob Dylan during the “Rolling Thunder Revue” and made history as the “first full-blooded Jew” to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Apart from his musical endeavors, Friedman was a prolific writer. He wrote detective novels and contributed as a columnist for Texas Monthly. He also ventured into politics, running for Governor of Texas in 2006 with the campaign slogan “My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy,” securing 12.6 percent of the votes among six candidates.
Born in Chicago and raised in Texas, Friedman studied psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. His passion for music led him to form King Arthur & the Carrots and later Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. He described the latter as a “country band with a social conscience, a demented love child of Lenny Bruce and Bob Wills.”
Reflecting on his life, Friedman once wrote, “Somewhere in heaven, I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.”
Billionaire actor and producer Tyler Perry describes his childhood as a “living hell.” As a young adult, he struggled to make money and was eventually “homeless” and “starving
Tyler Perry’s journey from a challenging childhood to a billionaire filmmaker is a testament to resilience. Raised in New Orleans amidst poverty and abuse, Perry found solace in his imagination. He vividly recalls his troubled upbringing as a “living hell,” marked by violence from his father. Struggling in his early adulthood, Perry faced homelessness and hunger.
Despite the hardships, Perry’s determination led him to success. Starting with odd jobs, he saved money to produce his first play, “Know I’ve Been Changed.” Living in his car for months, he eventually hit it big with the character Madea, grossing over $670 million in box office sales.
Now a billionaire, Perry owns a vast production empire, Tyler Perry Studios, surpassing even Warner Brothers in size. His success stems from owning everything associated with his studio. Perry’s down-to-earth life includes philanthropy, combating homelessness through The Perry Foundation, supporting charities, and providing relief after natural disasters.
Living in a $100 million mega-mansion in Atlanta, Perry remains grounded, driving a replica of his old car as a reminder of his journey. Despite his wealth, he continues to inspire and uplift others, emphasizing gratitude and perseverance.
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