Carter's Chord Races Out Of The Gate With USO-Sponsored Breeders' Cup Performance Band Kicks Off Busy Holiday Season With Two Christmas Songs And Numerous Appearances NASHVILLE—Country trio Carter's Chord has been selected to perform the national anthem at the Breeders' Cup World Championships November 6. Their performance will be part of the USO-sponsored opening ceremonies at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The Breeders' Cup is Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious global event. This year's races will be televised live on ABC and ESPN and in more than 130 countries outside the United States. For the first time in the 26-year history of the event, the Breeders' Cup has partnered with the USO to host 350 American service members and their families for a day of fun. That event kicks off a busy holiday season schedule for Carter's Chord, who record for the Show Dog Nashville label. Next week, they are sending a special holiday card to country radio, which contains two Christmas favorites performed by the band: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "Santa Baby." The card will also give radio programmers a preview of their upcoming single, "You Knock Me Out," which will be shipping to country stations in January. The band will be visiting and performing for country radio stations throughout November and December. The group, which comprises singer/songwriter siblings Becky, Emily and Joanna Robertson, will be participating in a Dec. 2 Nashville event to help raise money for Compassion International, a child development ministry they wholeheartedly support. The charity works on behalf of the world's poorest children in 25 countries to help release them from poverty. The Nashville gathering will raise money and awareness of the food crisis in Guatemala. In September, the sisters visited Guatemala on behalf of Compassion International, meeting with families in their homes, visiting staff and volunteers at child development centers and distributing food. On Dec. 4 they will spread some early holiday cheer in Music City by appearing in the 57th annual Nashville Christmas parade. And on Dec. 11, the group will perform a holiday show at Fort Campbell in Kentucky for U.S. troops and their families stationed there. ABOUT CARTER'S CHORD Carter's Chord released their critically acclaimed debut album last year on Show Dog Nashville, and have recently been in the studio working on new material with their producer and mentor Toby Keith, who is also the label's proprietor. Carter's Chord toured nationwide in support of the album, performing with Keith, Montgomery Gentry and Trailer Choir, among others. The group actually made its major label debut as children, singing on Waylon Jennings' 1998 country album for kids, "Cowboys, Sisters, Rascals & Dirt." They also performed with Jennings on a number of TV shows. Their parents, Barny and Carter Robertson, toured with Jennings during the height of the Outlaw movement. The sisters' inevitable immersion in music led them to Nashville, where Keith was one of many instant fans drawn in by their unique sibling harmony and accomplished stage performances. -30-