The Cowboys have announced this year's halftime performer for the Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Day game, introducing country music star Thomas Rhett as the annual entertainer.
Rhett, the Academy of Country Music's Male Vocalist of the Year, will perform live during the nationally-televised halftime of the Cowboys game with the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium.
The annual event kicks off The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Campaign. Donations to the iconic campaign help provide shelter and meals for the homeless and hungry, and Christmas toys for millions of children, in addition to numerous other social service programs The Salvation Army provides year-round.
"Watching the Cowboys game is such a tradition on Thanksgiving Day," said Thomas Rhett. "It's all about being together with family and friends, but this year is going to be a little different for us. I'm pumped that we get to pack up the whole family to go to Dallas for the halftime show…it's going to be blast and helping do it for a good cause makes it even better."
The excitement Rhett has about this announcement is equally matched by the Cowboys.
"Thomas Rhett is not only a chart-topping country artist, but also a musician whose commitment and passion for philanthropy makes him a great fit to join the Fight for Good and kickoff the Red Kettle Campaign," said Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Cowboys and former national advisory chairperson for The Salvation Army. "Every year, The Salvation Army makes a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. We want everyone to know that their donations truly make an impact."
The Red Kettle Campaign, which begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Eve, is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind. It raised $147.3 million during the 2016 campaign alone and has raised nearly $2.2 billion since the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day partnership began in 1997.
"We are thankful for our partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, whose organization has continually provided us with incredible awareness during our most critical fundraising season," said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. "We celebrate their ongoing support, and what is sure to be a memorable kickoff performance."
As the first country artist to top the all-genre Billboard 200 Album's chart this year, Thomas Rhett's star has continued to rise since the release of his debut album "It Goes Like This." Currently the Academy of Country Music's Male Vocalist of the Year, his albums have also garnered GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, and iHeartRadio Music award nominations, including major wins for his love song "Die a Happy Man." Thomas Rhett recently released his third album LIFE CHANGES and announced he will be bringing his signature swagger to his LIFE CHANGES TOUR 2018.
In addition to donating to the traditional bell ringers that will be stationed at retail locations throughout the country, supporters can join The Salvation Army's Fight for Good by starting their own #FightforGood fundraiser on RedKettleReason.org.
Join the Fight for Good
Joining the Fight for Good takes four easy steps:
1. Visit redkettlereason.org.
2. Click "Join the Fight" or scroll to the bottom of the page and join one of our notable citizen soldiers' fundraisers.
3. Specify the community, fundraising goal, and designated cause to support, or simply make a general donation to The Salvation Army.
4. Encourage friends and family to donate and start their own fundraising pages.
Donations can also be made through the Army's text-to-give program. By texting the word "KETTLES" to 51555, donors can send any amount to the Red Kettle Campaign.
From its humble beginnings as a Salvation Army captain's start-up program in 1891 in San Francisco, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. It provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry, and countless social service programs year-round. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers throughout the country ring bells and solicit donations to the red kettles.
Here's a list of the Cowboys' halftime performers on Thanksgiving:
2016 – Eric Church
2015- Luke Bryan
2014- Pitbull
2013- Selena Gomez
2012- Kenny Chesney
2011- Enrique Iglesias
2010- Keith Urban
2009- Daughtry
2008- Jonas Brothers
2007- Kelly Clarkson
2006- Carrie Underwood
2005- Sheryl Crow
2004 – Destiny's Child
2003 – Toby Keith
2002 – LeAnn Rimes
2001 – Creed
2000 – Jessica Simpson/Billy Gillman
1999 – Clint Black
1998 – Randy Travis
1997 – Reba McEntire
