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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, center, poses with Chris Daughtry, right, and Salvation Army Maj. George Hood.

IRVING — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones strives to bring in in big-time entertainment for the team's traditional Thanksgiving Day game, and this year is no exception.

In a Friday morning news conference at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters, Jones announced that Daughtry will perform at halftime to kick off the Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle fund drive.

The Cowboys and the Salvation Army have combined forces for the past 12 years, raising more than a billion dollars in the process.

"We have a tendency to think young, but I can tell you — from somebody that's a little past that — it's always exciting for me to see very talented and very exciting entertainment," Jones said.

Chris Daughtry, 29, is the third "American Idol" star to headline the holiday campaign drive kickoff.

"We know our fans; they get involved, and they give," Daughtry said. "We've seen that first-hand, so hopefully this will draw our fans to this as well."

Make your plans for the first Thanksgiving game at the new Cowboys Stadium against the Oakland Raiders on November 26 — or you can curl up on your couch and watch it at home.