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Lainey Wilsonis set to bring her country flair to the Dallas Cowboys’ iconic Thanksgiving Day halftime show.
She made the big announcement live from AT&T Stadium on October 13, during the Cowboys’ game against the Detroit Lions.
And she’s got more surprises up her sleeve—a special guest will join her on stage, though Wilson is keeping their identity secret.
“It’s gonna be a party,” she teased, promising an exciting performance with some unexpected twists.
Keep reading for more details!
A Star-Studded Tradition of Cowboys Halftime Performances
The Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving halftime show is a beloved tradition that always features top talent, especially from the country music world.
Past performers include legends like Reba McEntire, Clint Black, and Toby Keith.
Last year,Dolly Partonabsolutely stole the show, performing a hit-packed set while rocking her own Cowboys cheerleader outfit, much to the delight of fans.
When asked about the pressure of following Dolly’s performance, Lainey kept things light.
“First of all, ain’t nobody gonna top Dolly Parton,” she joked, acknowledging the bar has been set high.
But Wilson’s got plenty of surprises in store for her own performance.
“We’ve been working on something really special, and I can’t wait for y’all to see it. It’s gonna be a mix of hits, and I promise, we’re gonna make it a party!”
Source: Instagram/laineywilson
Special Guest & Surprise Setlist Teasers
While Wilson is playing coy about her mystery guest, fans are buzzing with excitement.
Could it be another country star? Or perhaps a completely unexpected collaboration?
Either way, Wilson has promised that herperformancewill be full of energy and some surprises.
“I just want to make sure we put on a show that’s fun and keeps people engaged,” Wilson shared.
“It’s gonna be some of my biggest hits, but with a twist. You’re not gonna want to miss it!”
The Red Kettle Campaign: Giving Back While Enjoying the Show
The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game isn’t just about football and music.
It also serves as the official kickoff for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, an annual tradition that raises funds to support those in need.
Lainey Wilson will be helping ring in the charitable season, alongside the Cowboys and their famous cheerleaders.
In a fun promo video shared onsocial media, Wilson even tried her hand at some cheerleading moves with the Cowboys cheerleaders, although she admitted that kicking high in her signature bell bottoms was a bit tricky!
Lainey Wilson’s Busy Fall Schedule
On top of preparing for this huge performance, Wilson is also co-hosting the 2024CMA Awardson November 20, alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
Her calendar is packed this fall, and it’s clear she’s in high demand.
From co-hosting one of country music’s biggest nights to taking the stage for the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Lainey Wilson is set to close out 2024 with some unforgettable moments.
Her fans can’t wait to see what she’s got up her sleeve for both events!
Lainey Wilson’s New AlbumWhirlwindBrings Fresh Energy
Lainey Wilson is hitting the stage fresh off the release of her much-anticipated new album,Whirlwind.
This 14-track record follows her Grammy-winningBell Bottom Countryand includes hits like “Country’s Cool Again,” “Good Horses” featuring Miranda Lambert, and “Hang Tight Honey.”
When talking about her latest project, Wilson calledWhirlwindthe “Western sister” to her previous album, explaining how her experiences over the past few years have made her a better songwriter.
“I’ve met so many new people and had so many new experiences,” she said, “and I feel like I’ve really found my path through all the craziness—that’s the whirlwind.”
It’s the perfect setup for her upcoming Thanksgiving performance!
Source: Instagram/laineywilson
A Whirlwind Year for Lainey Wilson
It’s really been awhirlwindof a year for Wilson, who’s been riding high on the success of her chart-topping hits and racking up awards left and right.
Known for her unique blend of classic country and Southern rock, her powerful voice, and her signature bell-bottom style, Wilson has quickly become one of country music’s biggest stars.
Her halftime show will undoubtedly add to her growing list of accomplishments.
Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Shows and Their Winning Records
Since 1997, the Dallas Cowboys have made their Thanksgiving halftime shows a big event, often featuring famous performers with ties to Dallas-Fort Worth or Oklahoma.
These shows happen with the Cowboys Cheerleaders and the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle nearby, helping raise money for the Salvation Army’s 133-year-old Red Kettle Campaign.
While pop music performers likeSelena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, and the Jonas Brothers have brought the Cowboys good luck, winning seven out of 10 games, country music hasn’t been as fortunate.
The Cowboys have won only four of the 15 games with country performers, starting with Reba McEntire’s halftime show in 1997.
Despite this, the tradition continues to be a highlight every Thanksgiving, with last year’s star being Dolly Parton.
Year
Performer
Opponent
Result
1997
Reba McEntire
Tennessee Oilers
Lost 27-14
1998
Randy Travis
Minnesota Vikings
Lost 46-36
1999
Clint Black
Miami Dolphins
Won 20-0
2000
Jessica Simpson/Billy Gilman
Minnesota Vikings
Lost 27-15
2001
Creed
Denver Broncos
Lost 26-24
2002
LeAnn Rimes
Washington
Won 27-20
2003
Toby Keith
Miami Dolphins
Lost 40-21
2004
Destiny’s Child
Chicago Bears
Won 21-7
2005
Sheryl Crow
Denver Broncos
Lost 24-21 (OT)
2006
Carrie Underwood
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Won 38-10
2007
Kelly Clarkson
New York Jets
Won 34-3
2008
Jonas Brothers
Seattle Seahawks
Won 34-9
2009
Daughtry
Oakland Raiders
Won 24-7
2010
Keith Urban
New Orleans Saints
Lost 30-27
2011
Enrique Iglesias
Miami Dolphins
Won 20-19
2012
Kenny Chesney
Washington
Lost 38-31
2013
Selena Gomez
Oakland Raiders
Won 31-24
2014
Pitbull
Philadelphia Eagles
Lost 33-10
2015
Luke Bryan
Carolina Panthers
Lost 33-14
2016
Eric Church
Washington
Won 31-26
2017
Thomas Rhett
San Diego Chargers
Lost 28-6
2018
Meghan Trainor
Washington
Won 31-22
2019
Ellie Goulding
Buffalo Bills
Lost 26-15
2020
Kane Brown
Washington
Lost 41-16
2021
Luke Combs
Las Vegas Raiders
Lost 36-33 (OT)
2022
Jonas Brothers
New York Giants
Won 28-20
2023
Dolly Parton
Washington Commanders
Won 45-10
The table summarizes the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day halftime performers and game results from 1997 to 2023
Conclusion
Lainey Wilson’s Thanksgiving Day halftime performance seems to be one of the biggest moments of the holiday.
With her unique blend of country and Southern rock, she’s bringing a lot of energy and excitement to one of the biggest games of the year
This halftime show isn’t just about the music, though. By performing during the game, Lainey is also helping to kick off the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, supporting those in need during the holiday season
With a mix of her hit songs and some surprises up her sleeve, it’s sure to be a performance that fans will talk about long after the day is over
It doesn’t matter if you’re tuning in for the game or the music, Lainey’s performance is something you won’t want to miss this Thanksgiving!
She’ll definitely deliver an unforgettable experience full of entertainment, energy, and holiday spirit!
Last Updated: October 15, 2024
