The National Red Kettle Kickoff  for The Salvation Army takes place on Thanksgiving Day with Grammy-nominated  rock band, Daughtry, performing live at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Oakland Raiders in a nationally televised halftime show that will air on CBS television network on November 26, 2009 at 3:15 pm CST.  The performance will officially kick off The Salvation Army’s 2009 Red Kettle Christmas campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States.

Daughtry’s performance will mark the 13th year that the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game halftime show officially launches the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign on a nationally televised stage. The event has become an annual holiday tradition for fans in attendance.  Previous halftime performers include Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny’s Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

The Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1 billion since the partnership began in 1997 and has helped the Army to serve 30 million people each year nationwide. Last year, the campaign raised a record $130 million.

For more than a decade Mr. Jones and his family have been major supporters of The Salvation Army. The Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys  help The Salvation Army express the importance of giving back during the Christmas season. This partnership has evolved into a great holiday tradition.  

As the national honorary Salvation Army Christmas chairperson, Dallas Cowboys owner and manager, Mr. Jerry Jones will act as an advocate for the campaign during Christmas by helping to spread the word about The Salvation Army’s critical programs year-round.

Mr. Jones is now an Emeritus member of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board and his daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson and wife Gene currently serve as active board members.