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Air Force Christmas radio special features Lee Ann Womack

  • Published
  • By Dale Eckroth
  • Air Force Recruiting Service
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --  Country music star Lee Ann Womack shares her favorite holiday memories and traditions in the latest "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special produced by Air Force Recruiting Service.

The one-hour show features an in-depth interview with Ms. Womack along with songs from her "The Season for Romance" and "There's More Where This Came From" CDs.

Tech. Sgt. Shiela Flinders, NCO in charge of AFRS broadcast operations, co-produced the show at Spotland Productions in Nashville last week. "It's an honor to have Lee Ann Womack as our guest this year," she said. "She adds warmth and sincerity to the holiday spirit."

Ms. Womack says her thoughts and prayers are with those military members who can't be home for the holidays. "I want them to know how much they're doing for not only their families but for families all over the world," she said. "They're making such a huge difference -- making their mark on the world and changing the world."

The program is being sent to more than 3,300 country radio stations including American Forces Radio and Television affiliates in late November. According to Jimmy Spacek, AFRS Marketing Division's broadcasting manager, recruiters need to personally contact station program directors in their area to make sure they received the program.

Each recruiting squadron also received 50 copies of the show, which may be used as special promotional items or hand delivered to stations that didn't receive the CDs.

"Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" is a public service program promoting goodwill in local communities by encouraging young people to achieve their goals through hard work and determination. The show includes public service announcements containing the message "You can do anything if you set your mind to it" from Ms. Womack along with Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith and Vince Gill.

"The program gives stations an opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform serving our nation around the world," added Mr. Spacek. "It's also our gift to program directors to help make their job a little easier over the holidays."

The Air Force enjoys a great relationship with the country music industry, said Mr. Spacek. "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" traces its roots back to the 1970s when AFRS first produced "Country Music Time," a weekly radio show featuring established and up-and-coming country stars. In the early 1990s, the program revamped its format to an annual Christmas special known as "The Gift," and later renamed with its current title.

Ms. Womack has won multiple Grammy, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards since releasing her debut album in 1997. Her biggest hit, "I Hope You Dance," won the Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Country Song as well as numerous CMA and ACM awards. The song is also included in "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas."

Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, SheDaisy, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson are a few of the many country artists who've appeared on the AFRS holiday shows.