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Matthew McConaughey Goes Wild For Wild Turkey

Rich Fury / Invision / AP

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey will soon become the face of Kentucky-brewed Wild Turkey bourbon – and he won’t just be in front of the camera.

"So I'm on a road trip. I'm traveling through Kentucky. I'm about 20 miles west of Lexington right now and I'm on the banks of the Kentucky River," McConaughey begins a short video for the company. 

The Free State of Jones actor wants to lend his distinctive southern drawl to one of the commonwealth’s signature brands, taking on the role of creative director for Wild Turkey. In the short film, the actor meets with the Russell family, who have been distilling the drink for 62 years, and waxes poetic about his new role as the company’s storyteller.

"I want to have my hands in the clay of how we tell the story and I want to be a part of the whole story, not just the character in it," he says. "So this is my new gig."

To that end, McConaughey will write, direct, and star in commercials for Wild Turkey – and weigh in on the music and even the still photography for ads. It’s a new level of high-profile involvement for the liquor industry, which has tapped celebrities like Mila Kunis and Ray Liotta to sell their products.

As for McConaughey, expect to see his ads hit the airwaves in September… with a possible McConaughey-branded bourbon to follow.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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