Kelly Clarkson To Launch Red Kettle Campaign

IRVING, Texas - Superstar singer Kelly Clarkson has attended past Cowboys games, be it in the Texas Stadium stands or team owner Jerry Jones' private suite. The Burleson, Texas, native performed the national anthem at last year's annual Thanksgiving game and got an even closer look at her favorite team Thursday, catching a pass from quarterback Tony Romo on the Valley Ranch practice fields with cornerback Terence Newman covering her, no less.

But the two-time Grammy Award winner will take an even bigger stage as the featured halftime performer at this year's nationally-televised Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Jets (Nov. 22) which officially launches the 2007 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign.

The Red Kettle campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States, helps raise money nationwide for people in need. The campaign raised a record $117 million last year, crossing the $1 billion mark in funds since the halftime show partnership began 10 years ago - an idea developed by Jones' daughter, Cowboys executive vice president Charlotte Jones Anderson.

"I think it's one of the greatest things that could ever happen to not only the Dallas Cowboys but to the NFL and sports in general," Jones said in a news conference at Valley Ranch. "This is a way that some of the positives are shown at best and shown to our entire country."

Clarkson's performance, traditionally a joint production with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, will mark the 11th time the Cowboys' halftime show has launched the campaign at a national level. Clarkson also will serve as honorary chairperson of the campaign, which will run nationally Friday, Nov. 23, through Christmas Eve.

"I love when everybody ties in benefits to charities," said Clarkson, whose halftime performance will be carried live by CBS. "It's such a great time of need as is celebration. So I think it's cool that we're shining light on that as well because we can all give a little."

Clarkson will join a long list of illustrious halftime performers - Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

"Kelly Clarkson is one of the most dynamic performers out there today - and we couldn't be more proud that she's from Dallas," Jones said. "We are happy to continue this American holiday tradition at Texas Stadium by kicking off The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign with what I'm sure will be a terrific halftime show set on a national stage, to be shared with millions of families as a reminder to give to a Red Kettle this holiday season."

source: