Miranda Lambert could have announced a Thanksgiving halftime performance with a simple photograph and a few words. Instead, the Texas country star showed up riding a steer, with miniature red Salvation Army kettles hanging from its sides.
The unusual entrance was part of a promotional video for the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving celebration. Miranda Lambert was arriving for a rehearsal with the Cowboys cheerleaders, and the sight was certainly unexpected.
“What, it’s the 30th anniversary. You gotta take the bull by the horns.”
That was Miranda Lambert’s explanation. And for an artist known for a strong personality and deep Texas roots, the joke seemed perfectly fitting.
But behind the funny announcement is a Thanksgiving tradition that began almost three decades ago, when another country music legend helped turn a football halftime show into something much bigger.
It All Started With a Challenge From Jerry Jones
In the 1990s, the Dallas Cowboys were one of the most successful franchises in professional football. Owner Jerry Jones wanted the organization to make an impact beyond winning games.
Jerry Jones challenged his daughter, Charlotte Jones, to find a way to make fans care about the Cowboys’ work off the field as much as their performance on it.
Charlotte Jones recognized an opportunity in the team’s annual Thanksgiving game. Millions of Americans were already watching. What if that enormous television audience could also be introduced to a charitable cause?
The organization partnered with The Salvation Army, and Charlotte Jones developed the idea of using the nationally televised halftime performance to launch the annual Red Kettle Campaign.
In 1997, at the old Texas Stadium, Reba McEntire became the first artist to perform at the Red Kettle Kickoff halftime show.
It was the beginning of a tradition that would continue for 30 consecutive Thanksgiving games.
From Reba McEntire to Miranda Lambert
After Reba McEntire opened the tradition, Randy Travis performed in 1998, followed by Clint Black in 1999.
Over the years, the halftime stage welcomed Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and numerous performers from outside country music.
More recently, Dolly Parton performed in 2023, Lainey Wilson followed in 2024, and Post Malone took the stage in 2025.
Now Miranda Lambert will carry the tradition into its 30th year.
For Miranda Lambert, the invitation also means returning to familiar territory. Raised in Lindale, East Texas, Miranda Lambert has built a career around music that has frequently reflected Texas life, independence and personal experience.
On October 25, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys officially announced that Miranda Lambert would perform during halftime of the Thanksgiving matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Central Time on FOX.
Miranda Lambert expressed particular excitement about returning to Texas and helping continue the charitable tradition.
What Those Little Red Kettles Really Represent
The miniature kettles hanging beside Miranda Lambert’s steer weren’t simply amusing props.
The familiar red kettles have long been associated with The Salvation Army’s holiday fundraising efforts. Their appearance in the promotional video connected Miranda Lambert’s playful introduction directly to the purpose of the halftime show.
The 2026 performance will launch awareness for The Salvation Army’s 136th Red Kettle Campaign.
According to the Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army, the Red Kettle Campaign, supported by the Thanksgiving partnership, has raised more than $3.4 billion over the past three decades.
That money supports charitable work reaching people facing food insecurity, housing difficulties and other hardships. Donations made to local Red Kettle campaigns remain in their communities to support neighbors in need.
The fundraising total represents the broader campaign’s work over the years, not money collected during halftime performances alone.
A Thanksgiving Tradition Comes Home to Texas
There’s something especially appropriate about having Miranda Lambert mark this anniversary.
The tradition began with Reba McEntire, a country singer who had already become a household name. Thirty years later, another acclaimed country singer will take the same annual spotlight, with the purpose of the event still firmly connected to helping others.
Miranda Lambert’s Thanksgiving performance has yet to take place, and the complete setlist has not been announced. But the promotional video has already given fans a memorable introduction.
In 1997, Reba McEntire helped launch a new holiday tradition at Texas Stadium. On November 26, 2026, Miranda Lambert will continue that tradition at AT&T Stadium.
And this time, the celebration began with a steer, a country singer’s sense of humor, and two little red kettles.