Three of Austin’s most famous residents kicked off an effort last night to raise money for charities that help young people.
Former UT-Austin Head Football Coach Mack Brown, county musician Jack Ingram and Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey make up “Mack Jack and McConaughey" – or MJ&M.
The trio’s inaugural fundraising campaign in 2013 raised more than $1 million.
"We thought this would be a home run," Mack Brown said. "Because when you get Jack Ingram and Sheryl Crow and when you get Matthew McConaughey to come in, it's special. And it's all for kids."
Brown says he’s looking forward to being able to dedicate more of his efforts to events like this now that he’s no longer coaching the Longhorns.
“When you have change in your life what you do is you take something that might be anxious to people and turn it into something exciting. So I’m really looking forward to the next phase of my life and I can’t wait," Brown said.
He also admitted he's enjoying some of the free time and freedom that comes with no longer leading the team.
“I like Twitter. It’s fun. Because you can actually answer questions to fans," Brown said. "When you’re not coaching, you can actually be more honest. Because you can give an opinion and not be killed over it and, really and truly, if you are killed over it, who cares. It doesn’t make any difference because it’s not going to cost you a recruit. So it’s fun.”
Jack Ingram joked that the event has been running smoother so far this year because of McConaughey's Oscar win. McConaughey added that winning an Academy Award is not as great as winning a football national championship – but that both are pretty good.
The MJ&M fundraiser continues Friday with a celebrity golf tournament, fashion show and concert.
This year, the funds raised will benefit: The Rise School of Austin, HeartGift, CureDuchenne, Grounded in Music and the just keep livin foundation.
