Today in Denton, every dog’s best friend is a Jewish Cowboy, and a Texas poet comes in as a pretty good sidekick.

DMN file photo

Kinky Friedman, shown in Dallas last year, has roped in Texas Poet Laureate Steve Fromholz for their “Legends and Puppies Tour of 2008.” Their benefit performance is at Dan’s Silverleaf tonight.

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Writer and musician Kinky Friedman wasn’t shy about stumping for a no-kill shelter in Texas when he was campaigning for governor — a policy that likely didn’t make his opponents’ lists. Now, the cigar-chomping singer-songwriter is putting his mouth where his gubernatorial money was.

Friedman and Texas Poet Laureate Steve Fromholz (who has Denton roots, if you didn’t know) bring their “Legends and Puppies Tour of 2008” to Denton today. The tour lands in the cozy barroom at Dan’s Silverleaf for what is rumored to be a rip-roaring fun fundraiser.

The ticket price — $40 — sounds a touch hefty for a comfortable room like Dan’s, but Friedman and Fromholz mean to make money for Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, a peaceful spot for unwanted and rescued dogs in Medina.

Friedman is known for crafting irreverent music that takes aim at himself and the stupid human condition.

Fromholz, a Denton boy with a generous mustache and silver hair to match, has had his songs recorded by Hoyt Axton, John Denver, Lyle Lovett, Michael Martin Murphy, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker and dozens of others. Four years after suffering a near-fatal stroke, he’s singing and playing again, and he’s recently written and published a book, Texas Trilogy (Esteban Publish­ing). Fromholz describes his music as “freeform, country-folk rock, science fiction, gospel gum, bluegrass opera, cowjazz music.” 

—Lucinda Breeding

Who: Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman and poet laureate Steve Fromholz

What: A benefit for four-legged Texans

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St.

Details: Admission is $40. Extra cash is welcome for an auction, a copy of Friedman’s latest book, What Would Kinky Do?: How to Unscrew a Screwed-Up World, and Kinky’s own brand of cigars. A portion of proceeds from all sales will go to Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch.