Kinky Friedman, the Abbie Hoffman of Country Music

Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys performing at Live From Austin.

When I read Kinky Friedman’s obituary the other day I felt like crying and laughing. Laughing because I laughed at the lyrics to many of his songs, including “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore,” which pokes fun at Jews and non-Jews alike. Also, because I found his many murder mysteries immensely entertaining and even humorous. Kinky could “crack wise” about murder, as one of his characters might say.

I also...