Miranda Lambert will perform at half-time of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, as the long-running Salvation Army Red Kettle tradition reaches its 30th year.
The country music star will take the stage at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, during the nationally televised NFL fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 4.30pm Eastern Time on Fox.
The Red Kettle Kickoff began in 1997, when Reba McEntire performed at the Cowboys’ former home, Texas Stadium. Since then, the event has featured artists including Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, the Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone.
Lambert, who was raised in East Texas and has won three Grammy Awards, said appearing at the game would be a particular honour because of the tradition’s links to both the Cowboys and her home state.
“There’s something special about how music brings people together, especially when it’s to spread joy and hope to families who need it most,” she said.
“The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys have built an incredible tradition with the Red Kettle Kickoff, and I can’t wait to be back home in Texas this Thanksgiving to help carry it forward.”
The performance will coincide with the Salvation Army’s 136th Red Kettle Campaign. The organisation and the Cowboys said the campaign, supported by the televised half-time shows, has helped raise more than $3.4 billion for people in need.
Charlotte Jones, the Cowboys’ chief brand officer and co-owner, said the Red Kettle Kickoff had become one of the organisation’s proudest Thanksgiving traditions.
“For 30 years, incredible artists have taken our halftime stage to help The Salvation Army bring hope to millions of people in need,” she said. “We’re grateful to Miranda Lambert for joining that legacy and helping us continue this meaningful tradition.”
Jones originally proposed using the Cowboys’ nationally televised Thanksgiving half-time slot to launch the Salvation Army’s annual fundraising campaign. McEntire headlined the inaugural performance in 1997.
