Singer, songwriter, politician, humorist: Kinky Friedman passes away at 79

AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Richard "Kinky" Friedman has passed away at the age of 79, according to a social media post on his official accounts Thursday.

The singer/songwriter was also a former columnist for Texas Monthly magazine, a novelist, and a one-time Texas gubernatorial candidate.

Friedman passed away in his sleep Thursday morning at his Echo Hill Ranch near Kerrville.

He was one of two independent candidates that ran for Texas governor in 2006, placing fourth in a six-person race with 12.6% of the vote.

Friedman was born in Chicago, but his family moved to the Hill Country early in his life. He graduated from Austin High School in 1962, and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas in 1966.