Dolly Parton Sends Lainey Wilson Heartwarming Video Message Ahead of Red Kettle Kick Off Performance

Ahead of her highly anticipated half-time show at the Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants NFL game at the AT&T Stadium this Thanksgiving, Lainey Wilson was surprised by a special message from last year's performer and Lainey's idol, Dolly Parton.

During the rehearsals for the blockbuster show, which serves as the official kick-off for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign, Dolly Parton's video flashed up on the Jumbotron.

The ‘9 to 5’ legend began by toasting the fact that Highway 15 in Lainey's hometown of Baskin, Louisiana has been renamed in celebration of her, “Well, hey everybody, it's Dolly, and I wanted to take a moment and congratulate my dear friend, Lainey. As a travelling musician, you spend an awful lot of time on life's highways. So it's a true honour to have one of them named after you - especially one in your hometown, ‘The Lainey Wilson Highway’. Got a nice ring to it, don't it?”

Dolly Parton went on, “And a little birdie told me that you were going to be doing the half-time show for the Dallas Cowboys this year. Well, I'm excited to pass the Salvation Army bell to you as this year's Red Kettle Kick-Off half-time performer”.

The country icon, who was recently crowned Billboard's greatest country artist of all time, concluded by wishing Lainey well for her performance, “Hey, I'm really proud of you for using your incredible talents to help those in need, and as your biggest cheerleader - Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, that is - we can't wait to watch you light up that stage on Thanksgiving. So good luck and I will be cheering you on!”

For last year's Red Kettle Kick-Off performance, which took place during the Dallas Cowboys’ victory over the Washington Commanders, Dolly Parton delivered a rip-roaring medley of hits, including ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Jolene’, before launching into rock-tinged covers of Queen's ‘We Are The Champions’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.

It remains to be seen which songs Lainey Wilson will incorporate into her half-time show, but fans will undoubtedly be hoping to hear a couple from the 2024 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year's new album, Whirlwind, such as ‘4X4XU‘ and ‘Hang Tight Honey’.

As the genre has exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, calls for the Super Bowl half-time show to welcome more country artists have grown louder and louder.

This set from Lainey Wilson could perhaps be viewed as an exhibition as to why the ‘Country's Cool Again’ hitmaker would be a great choice in the future, perhaps as part of a collaborative Super Bowl performance featuring some of country music's biggest artists.

The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle campaign consists of an instrumental fundraising effort over the holiday season, which helps those struggling during this period by providing toys for children, supplies for the homeless, food for the impoverished and more. Donations can be made to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign here.

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