(Source: CSX press release, September 21, 2011)
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Country music stars Keifer and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square will be the celebrity guests on the 2011 Santa Train. The husband-and-wife act that has taken the country by storm will accompany CSX, Food City, the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and Kids Wish Network representatives on board the train for its 69th annual run bringing gifts to children and communities from Shelby, Ky., to Kingsport, Tenn., on Nov. 19.
Stoney Creek Records’ hot new duo, Thompson Square, is enjoying tremendous radio success, reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on both country radio charts and selling more than a million digital single sales with their break-out single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” They have recently garnered two CMA nominations, Vocal Duo of the Year and New Artist of the Year, for the upcoming 45th Annual CMA Awards. You can find the dynamic duo opening for multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean on his My Kinda Party 2011 Arena Tour, and later this fall they will be joining Darius Rucker’s U.S. tour.
“We are really honored to be a part of this year’s Santa Train,” Shawna Thompson said. “This is an amazing opportunity to help spread the joys of Christmas to other people.”
The Santa Train makes 14 stops throughout Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Thompson Square, Santa Claus and volunteers from CSX, Food City, the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and Kids Wish Network will deliver 15 tons of toys to thousands of residents who live along the route.
“It is exciting to see a talented couple like Thompson Square dedicate their time to the Santa Train,” said Tori Kaplan, AVP corporate social responsibility for CSX. “The Santa Train has been an important part of the holidays in Appalachia for the past 68 years, and we expect to continue that tradition this year.”
In past years, U.S. senators and representatives and several governors have participated in the Santa Train, as well as celebrity guests such as The Judds, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea and Travis Tritt.
“The Santa Train ends its trip in Kingsport every year, and the entire city really looks forward to this event,” said Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Miles Burdine. “It’s great to see people come together to support the mission of the Santa Train.”
“We think it is wonderful that we are able to give back to the communities we serve,” Ed Moore, Food City’s corporate trainer, said. “Having Thompson Square join us on the train this year will certainly add a fun element to the ride.”
“This is our third year working with CSX to sponsor the Santa Train, and we are so very proud and honored to be a part of this wonderful tradition,” said Barbara Askin, Kids Wish Network’s director of distribution. “This is what Kids Wish Network is all about — reaching out to deserving children nationwide to bring hope to their hearts and smiles to their faces. It is the most rewarding feeling in the world to see a smile light up the face of a child in need as they are handed a brand new toy.”
Please visit www.teamsantatrain.com for more information. For updates about the Santa Train, visit www.facebook.com/santatrain and follow @TheSantaTrain on Twitter.