(Source: CSX press release, November 15, 2011)
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Burgeoning superstars Keifer and Shawna Thompson of the country music duo Thompson Square will join Santa Claus and volunteers from CSX, Food City, Kids Wish Network and the Kingsport (Tenn.) Area Chamber of Commerce aboard the 69th annual Santa Train on Saturday, Nov. 19.
For many Appalachian families, the Santa Train represents the traditional commencement of the holiday season. Each year, representatives from the train’s four sponsors distribute more than 15 tons of toys and other gifts to thousands of people gathered at 14 stops along the train’s 110-mile route through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. This year, Kids Wish Network donated more than $500,000 worth of toys, the largest donation in the history of the event.
This will be Thompson Square’s first appearance on the beloved Santa Train, and the group will commemorate the occasion by playing a brief concert on the train’s platform in Kingsport at the conclusion of the journey. The Santa Train and the ensuing concert fall right between two important dates on the Thompson Square calendar: The group was nominated for New Artist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year at the Nov. 9 Country Music Association awards show in Nashville, and they will be performing at the American Country Awards on Dec. 5.
“Keifer and I are honored to be part of the 2011 Santa Train,” Shawna Thompson said. “These next few months will be a whirlwind, so we’re thrilled to have a real Christmas celebration with our fans in Appalachia.”
“We hope all the residents along the Santa Train’s route are as excited as we are about this weekend,” said Tori Kaplan, associate vice president of corporate social responsibility for CSX. “I speak on behalf of all the sponsors when I say it’s a privilege to celebrate this wonderful tradition with the good people of Appalachia. Every Santa Train is memorable, but having Keifer and Shawna with us will make this a truly special year.”