Why is Dolly Parton performing during halftime at Cowboys vs. Commanders NFL Thanksgiving game?

The Cowboys usually pull out all the stops when trying to land talent for their Thanksgiving Day halftime show, and 2023 is no different.

For the second time in three years, the Cowboys have pulled in one of the biggest names in country music to entertain the crowd at AT&T Stadium. Dolly Parton will be putting on a show for the Texas crowd on Thanksgiving in 2023.

The "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene" singer is one of the most prolific country music singers and songwriters in history, so many may be wondering how exactly the Cowboys got her to perform this quick spot on the NFL's most notable holiday.

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The answer? It was a mutually beneficial opportunity for each party. Here's why.

Why is Dolly Parton performing during Cowboys vs. Commanders game?

Parton is performing the halftime show for the Cowboys vs. Commanders game on Thanksgiving primarily for two reasons.

First and foremost, the Cowboys have apparently held an interest in Parton participating in this show for a long time. The Cowboys’ chief brand officer and executive vice president Charlotte Jones outlined that when announcing Parton as the halftime performer for 2023.

“We are so excited to have the privilege of hosting Dolly on Thanksgiving Day and for several years we’ve approached her team about the possibility of coming,” Jones said, per The Dallas Morning News. "For years, because of scheduling conflicts, it never aligned. But earlier this year when she came to town for the ACMs at The Star in Frisco, everything came together in terms of working with her people and the conversations that had been planted along the way."

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It certainly helped Dallas' cause that Parton is looking to get as much publicity as she can as she releases a new album. That's part of what played into her decision as well.

"She got really excited about it," Jones said when discussing Parton's halftime performance. "She’s launching her new album in November and everything coincided nicely. And now we’re thrilled she’s actually coming for Thanksgiving Day to AT&T Stadium with all her rhinestones and all her personality and all her flair."

That Parton had a new album coming out made her an especially appealing guest for the Cowboys as well. That meant that her show would contain new elements that even her biggest fans hadn't yet seen.

"We’ll see a show that nobody has seen before because she has this effort with her new 'Rockstar' album, so expect to see a lot of sparkle and everything in The Dolly Way," Jones said.

Add in that the ever-charitable Parton was intrigued by the Cowboys' partnership with The Salvation Army — which benefits yearly from this concert and fundraiser — and it became the perfect storm for Parton to perform. She showed that before even taking the stage, donating $1 million to the Salvation Army the day before the game. 

Almost time for the #RedKettleKickoff and @dollyparton is starting us off in a BIG way with a $1 million donation to @SalvationArmyUS! Thank you, Dolly, for your generosity and Loving Beyond! ❤️✨

We can't wait to rock on Thursday!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Xdg0Jt5OJj

— Charlotte Jones (@cjonescowboys) November 22, 2023

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What time is Cowboys vs. Commanders halftime show?

The Cowboys vs. Commanders game is expected to kick off at about 4:30 p.m. ET. That means that halftime should begin at roughly 6 p.m. ET if the game is played at the normal pace of an NFL contest.

That said, it might behoove those excited to see Dolly Parton perform to turn the TV on just a few minutes before 6 p.m. ET. That way if the first half goes quicker than expected, nobody will miss any of what's sure to be a stunning performance from Parton.

NFL Thanksgiving schedule 2023