Jim Carrey’s 3-D animated version of “A Christmas Carol” hits theatres today, Target stores are already covered in ornaments and snowflakes and Starbucks just rolled out its red cups. That’s right – the holidays are coming faster than you know it and so are annual Christmas tours for Kenny Rogers and Wynonna.
The 2009 edition of the Kenny Rogers Christmas & Hits Tour kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, with a show at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel/Riverdome in Bossier City, La., and wraps up Dec. 23 at the Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y.
Additional shows include Mahaffey Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 1), Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Dec. 5), Sandusky State Theatre in Sandusky, Ohio (Dec. 10), Fox Theatre in Detroit (Dec. 18) and Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Mass. (Dec. 20).
The country singer-songwriter will be sharing traditional and original holiday songs in addition to classic favorites such as “The Gambler,” “Lady” and “Islands In The Stream.”
The tour features Rebecca Lynn Howard in addition to local choirs and children chosen to be part of the production in each city.
“I’ve always loved this season. I think because people in general, are truly different. Look around … they smile more, they’re more gracious, and generally seem happier,” Rogers said. “Have yourself a Merry, Merry Christmas and know that I wish for you, what I wish for myself – that you spend this and every holiday season with those you love the most.”
This year’s tour is sponsored by World Vision as the singer has teamed up with the Christian humanitarian organization to help children and families around the world in need.
Wynonna’s Classic Christmas tour, named after her 2006 holiday album, begins Nov. 28 at Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pa., and concludes with a two-night stand Dec. 19-20 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Additional shows include MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn. (Dec. 1), Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas (Dec. 4), Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa, Okla. (Dec. 6), Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ind. (Dec. 12) and Pearl River Resort/Silver Star in Choctaw, Miss. (Dec. 18).
Wynonna will be joined on tour by the Palmetto State Quartet, which features Wynonna’s pop, Larry Strickland. Strickland was a former member of The Stamps, Elvis Presley’s background quartet.
Before kicking off the tour, Wynonna plans to participate in the 67th annual CSX Santa Train along with CSX, Food City and the Kingsport, Tenn., Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Santa Train’s volunteers, along with Wynonna and Santa Claus himself will make 14 stops in the mountains of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee to deliverer 15 tons of toys to thousands of children along the route.
“I decided to ride the Santa Train this year because I want my children to experience as much as they can,” Wynonna said. “I also want to teach them about other people and what their life experiences are like.”
Click here for Kenny Rogers' Web site.
Click here for Wynonna's Web site.