Texas country music legend and one-time spiritual advisor to Kinky Friedman, Billy Joe Shaver was questioned by Waco-area police after a man was shot in the face near Papa Joe's Texas Saloon. Details about the shooting remain scarce, including any possible role that the Texas Country Music Hall of Famer might have had played in it, but Shaver's attorney reportedly confirmed his client's involvement. The Waco Tribune-Herald also quoted an anonymous truck driver yesterday,......

SXSW Presents returns to KLRU TV tomorrow for its third season, with four brand new episodes slated to run through the end of February. The critically acclaimed series, hosted by SXSW Film Fest Producer Matt Dentler, showcases some today's finest examples of independent filmmaking, many of which have a local emphasis -- past epiodes have featured Viva Les Amis, 24 Hours on Craigslist, and Witches in Exile. BBQ: A Texas Love Story February 6th,......

"UT spied on its non comformists and dissident students"Your every move is being watched. Scary thought, right? A thought we like to associate with Orwellian sci-fi or Alex Jones, but in recent years we've seen this idea become a reality. Little black boxes with blinking red lights are at traffic spots, street corners or up in trees making sure you're not up to any funny business. Now, in a democracy sans Habeas Corpus, we......

WEDNESDAY [6] film • Amélie at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm,Free) city • Austin Community Cultural Planning Project Arts & Culture Round Table discussion at One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd, RSVP, 7-9pm) music • Pirates vs. Ninjas, Jolly Garogers at Beerland (dress as a pirate or ninja and get in free) music • 101X Homegrown w/ Visitors, Driver F at Flamingo Cantina -1 music • Cut Club with free Mickey's at The Mohawk (10pm)......

The Grand Old Party nearly swept the statewide race yesterday, led by Governor Rick Perry, who after beating Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn may very well become the longest-serving Governor in Texas. In a press conference this morning, Perry was vague when addressing rumors of a possible vice presidential bid, merely saying it was "up to the good Lord." Bell, who posted yesterday in his blog......

If you vote for Rick Perry, and you’re not a Christian, you’re going to hell. At least according to the coiffed Governor of Texas. Not that we figured there to be a lot of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, agnostics or Sikhs voting for Perry, but, you know...just in case. Following a fire and brimstone sermon Sunday in San Antonio, Perry made it clear that iffin you aren’t saved, it’s H-E-double hockey sticks for you. "In my......

As the campaigns head to the wire, it's time for our batch of gubernatorial candidates to address the hot-button issues. With this political installment, let's see where the people who want to live in that big pretty house pictured above stand on dealing with sex crimes against children. Prison Sentences: All four Gubernatorial contenders (Kinky Friedman, Chris Bell, Rick Perry and Cougar Strayhorn) favor a mandatory minimum of 25 years to life for first-time violent......

Chris Bell recently received a $5 million donation commitment from Houston lawyer John O'Quinn. That oughta help. But what Bell knows would really help would be for Independent Kinky Friedman to bow out of the race, freeing up thousands of votes for the Democratic candidate. And he called the Jewish Cowboy yesterday to ask him to do just that. We imagine there are quite a few folks voting for Kinky who would normally vote......

Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman recently stopped by the University of Texas, where he told students he would fight to legalize marijuana, add more National Guards to the border, and stand in favor of abortion rights. It seems that independent gubernatorial candidate Carol Cougar Keeton Strayhorn has been giving money to groups who oppose the very existence of Rick Perry and his policies. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate James Warner is planning on suing Belo Corporation......

That guy in the black cowboy outfit is Kinky Friedman, speaking to students yesterday morning at UT's The Union Ballroom. Outside The Union, students in support of Democrat Chris Bell protest the Kinkster's appearance.......

U.S. researchers are currently working on a vaccine that could wipeout childhood ear and sinus infections. Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman has begun a three-day college tour with former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura. The British are opening their archives and sharing their sexy side. Have you ever heard of cooking a meal in your dishwasher? Keep drinking - liver disease may be reversible!!......

Apparently there has been a little scuttlebutt about whom Ann Richards was intending to endorse in the race for Governor of Texas. The children of the former governor released a statement today declaring that Ann had no intention of ever endorsing fellow smart-alec Kinky Friedman. According to her children, "Ann Richards did not support Kinky Friedman for Governor of Texas nor endorse him before she died. She was very concerned about this election. She always......

Independent gubernatorial candidate Carole Cougar Keeton Strayhorn thinks Perry should stop taking money from lobbyists, but apparently it's okay to take money from tax consultants. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell has officially launched his ad campaign and we hope it is larger-then-life. Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman sees no reason to apologize for a racist remark made during a stand-up act he gave 26 years ago. Finally the Democrats are pissed; unfortunately it is......

- Despite some rumors that Wilco would headline Shiner's annual Bocktoberfest, the event's main act is...Godsmack. Well, yeah, that's pretty much the same as Wilco. We just feel sorry for the Old 97's, who seem to be the only good act on the bill. Ask for a keg in your rider, guys. By the way, the 97's will warm up for Shiner with a 10/13 gig at Stubb's. - Speaking of drinking, Kinky Friedman......

A small group of uber-rich political subscribers are reportedly giving about $10 million to Gov. Rick Perry's re-election campaign. As always, the people with the money make the rules. Kinky Friedman's proposed energy plan for Texas calls for 20% of the electricity in the state to come from renewable sources by 2020. Jack Carter, offspring of former president Jimmy Carter, won the Democratic nomination in the Nevada primary and will move on to face......

As gas prices skyrocket seemingly without end, and as air pollution becomes more and more of a health concern these days, the prospect of cheaper & cleaner renewable energy sources is becoming a serious issue with many Texans. The state now stands at a crossroads where it has to make a choice: Do we continue with the present energy policies, or do we seek out new solutions? Whomever we elect as governor this November will, to a large extent, determine our energy fate. So don’t waste your vote, good citizen! Inform thyself! ...

According to the announcement today by Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, independent gubernatorial candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn have collected enough voter signatures to make the November election ballot. From the Statesman: The signatures had to be from registered Texas voters who did not cast ballots in the Republican or Democratic primaries this spring. Strayhorn submitted some 223,000 signatures, and Friedman submitted 169,574. Let the games begin.......

FRIDAY [16] [music] The Streets with Lady Sovereign at La Zona Rosa (link) [film] Raiders of the Lost Ark at Paramount Theatre (7:30pm) (link) [film] Sinus Show: Showgirls at Alamo Downtown (7pm & 10pm, $12.50) (link) [film] Rolling Roadshow: Curious George at Bushy Creek (8pm, Free) (link) [books] Kinky Friedman presents Cowboy Logic: The Wit and Wisdom of Kinky Friedman (and Some of His Friends) at BookPeople (7pm) (link) [music] Yuppie Pricks Beach Party with......

An anti-tax group called Citizens Lowering Our Unfair Taxes ("CLOUT") has filed suit against state lawmakers alleging illegal spending of our tax dollars over the last 28 years. According to CLOUT, lawmakers use inflated budget numbers to overspend and this leads to Texans being overtaxed. Democratic goober nominee Chris Bell has reported that his campaign received a donation of $100,000 from Houston oilman A. Earl Swift. According to the Texas Ethics Commission for the......

Local: The U.S. Commerce Secretary recently met with local Austin business leaders in an effort to push Bush's platform to control illegal immigration. One concern facing business owners will be their ability to find skilled workers who can claim legal status. In other local news that we mentioned a while back: Your house may now be located in a flood plain. State: Democratic candidate for governor Chris Bell believes that the four-way race for......

A professor at UC Davis was awarded a grant to study the relationship between music and emotion. For instance- why do some people get turned on by R. Kelly while it makes us other people want to vomit? Every kid's dream came true for 6-year-old Michael James Emanuel Jr. who was left behind at a Chuck E. Cheese on his birthday. His 23-year-old mother didn't even realize Junior was missing until the following morning.......

For those who think Kinky Friedman is not serious about changing the face of politics as we know it in Texas, he's got news for you. His ideas about taking back government for the people and marginalizing special interest groups have taken form in his recently expressed platform. Some of his main ideas for "taking Texas back to its independent roots," include the following: publicly-financed political campaigns a two-year lobbying ban for state officeholders......

Random figures collected over the past two weeks: Number of voter signatures collected by Kinky Friedman's staff: 169,574 [reference] Percentage of Americans who believe that "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track," according to a new Harris poll: 69% [reference] Minimum cost of new sprinkler system to be installed in Zilker Park over the next three years, perhaps eventually rendering ACL Fest actually bearable: $500,000 [reference] Minimum peak computing power of......

Independent Gubernatorial candidates Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman both claim to have received the required 45,540 signatures to place themselves on the upcoming November general election ballot. And while the signatures receive meet the minimum requirement, both candidates bash on regardless, in hopes of avoiding any kind of number counting confusion or discrepancy. One of the potential issues that could arise with two candidates seeking signatures for placement on the ballot would be......

The Old Settler’s Music Festival sure has a line up. Why, they have more roots music than you could shake a roots-music-shaking stick at. This weekend marks the 19th year for the event, held at the Salt Lick BBQ Pavillion right out in Driftwood. The line up includes Keller Williams, Kinky Friedman, Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez, Terri Hendrix, Todd Snyder, the Lonestar Bluegrass Band and a heap of other talented folks. They’re additionally......

The Democratic and Republican primary run-offs are tomorrow, April 11th. If you vote in the run-offs you cannot sign Carole Keeton Strayhorn's or Kinky Friedman's petition. You can find your polling location here. Endorsements: Austin Chronicle Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus Austin Sierra Club endorsements West Austin Democrats endorsements Statesman endorsements Strayhorn's petition is available online at www.carolestrayhorn.com or by calling 512-469-9393. Information about Mr. Friedman's petition is available at www.kinkyfriedman.com or by calling 512-326-5465.......

Be sure to check out our extensive theatre coverage and new movie releases. Please let us know about any corrections/suggestions! FRIDAY [31] [music] Reckless Kelly at La Zona Rosa (link) [music] Peter & the Wolf, Navajo Radio and more at Emo's (Inside) (link) [music] Ghostface Killah, Word Association, DJ Notion at Emo's (Outside) (link) [music] The Glass Family w/ Quien es Boom (CD Release) & Brothers and Sisters at The Parish Room (link) [music] Red......

Rick Perry unveiled his school financing plan yesterday and it looks like the smokers get the short end of the stick, again. In his efforts to devise a plan to fund schools and give property tax relief, Perry has suggested cutting property tax by $6 billion, the largest reduction in history, and broaden the franchise tax to apply to more companies and raise cigarette taxes by $1 a pack. Critics of the plan say......

Texas - Texas Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn sued Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, a Perry appointee, last Friday, claiming Williams' plan to manually examine her petition signature by signature instead of using a statistical sampling method violated her constitutional rights. Williams also refused Strayhorn's request to be allowed to turn in an initial batch of signatures and then add to that before May 11. Carole Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman have until......

DALLAS - Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman was the Grand Marshal in a St. Patrick's Day parade this past weekend. He wore his black hat, smoked his cigar, and tossed back his pint of Guinness. He then proceeded to show off his mad beer bonging skills with a tall boy of Lonestar... wait that was me last night. But I digress... "Guinness is the drink that kept the Irish from taking over the world. It......