A new chapter in Kinky Friedman’s legendary career unfolds with the release of “Hummingbird Lanai,” the latest single from Poet of Motel 6, out February 19, 2025 via Hardcharger/Blue Élan Records. This deeply personal track, imbued with the storyteller’s signature wit and warmth, finds Friedman reflecting on love, loss, and the passage of time through a symbolic tribute rooted in his beloved Echo Hill Ranch. A poignant video capturing Kinky, with his trademark cigar, cherishing his beloved ranch alongside his furry friends, set to the moving sounds of "Hummingbird Lanai", is available now.

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From Nelson Mandela to Presidents Bush Jr. and Clinton, Kinky Friedman made fans with every song he wrote—and some of them live right here in the trees of Echo Hill Ranch. The place Friedman called home for over 40 years not only shaped his life, but also served as inspiration for Poet of Motel 6, his final musical testament.

“I believe the symbolism for ‘Hummingbird Lanai’ originated here on this patio,” recalls Marcie Friedman, Kinky’s youngest sister. “My mother began feeding hummingbirds here in 1953—began attracting them. The hummingbirds always come on March 15. It’s uncanny.

“They come on the Ides of March and leave about the middle of August. They’re migratory. So she fed them, and we have a lot of them—the children would come and feed them. When she died, my father took over doing it. When he passed, Kinky took over.”

Produced by David Mansfield, Poet of Motel 6 serves as an unintentional swan song for the legendary musician, novelist, and satirist. The album, completed before Friedman’s passing, is a testament to his unyielding spirit, blending humor, heartbreak, and his trademark irreverence.

With notable contributions to the album from musical luminaries like Rodney Crowell, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rick Trevino, and Amy Nelson, the record resonates as a heartfelt tribute to Kinky’s unique perspective on life, loss, and love.

“This record is as good as Kinky’s [1973 debut album] Sold American,” sister Marcie says. “Every song is about saying goodbye in a way only Kinky could.”

Jesse Dayton, head of Hardcharger Records, reflects on the impact of Poet of Motel 6: “It’s his most heartstring-pulling record. And not just because he passed away. He had no idea this would be his last album. It’s not like Blackstar from David Bowie—it was simply Kinky, doing what he loved, telling stories the only way he knew how.”

With Poet of Motel 6 set for release next month, “Hummingbird Lanai” offers a poignant glimpse into Friedman’s final masterpiece. As the hummingbirds return to Echo Hill Ranch this spring, so too does the spirit of Kinky Friedman—alive in the music, the stories, and the wind through the hills of Texas.