Can it be? Cyndi Lauper, country singer?

Yes, indeed, the chameleon just released the album "Detour," on which she sings such Nashville classics as "Walkin' After Midnight" and "Misty Blue." She gets a little help from her country friends, too, including Alison Krauss and Willie Nelson. She duets with Vince Gill on "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" — as if that right there isn't reason enough to buy the album — and with Emmylou Harris on "Detour."

It might seem, ahem, so unusual for a singer who became famous for her pop-punk persona to go country, but Lauper was in a retro-rockabilly band called Blue Angel back before "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" hit the charts.

Lauper, who is amazing in concert, is out touring in support of "Detour," and she'll play Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday. Joining her is the inimitable Boy George.

Cyndi Lauper and Boy George, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mohegan Sun Arena; also, Operator EMZ; $39; mohegansun.com.