Air Force holiday radio special to feature LeAnn Rimes Published Oct. 5, 2007 By Daniel P. Elkins Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Country music's multi-award winning artist LeAnn Rimes recalls her most fond holiday memories as the featured artist in the "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special to be released in November. Produced and marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service's Strategic Communications Division, the one-hour show features an in-depth interview with Rimes along with songs from her holiday album and new release Family. Co-producing the show with Spotland Productions in Nashville is Tech. Sgt. John Somheil, a broadcast producer at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service here. Somheil said that in addition to some seasonal classics and tracks from her newest release, the show includes a candid conversation about the artist's efforts to champion support for servicemembers serving away from home. "Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I jumped at the chance to hopefully bring a familiar voice from home to so many people overseas," said Rimes. "I do appreciate what they do so much. I have a great respect for not only the men and women fighting but the families ... away from their loved ones." That support by Rimes over the years has extended to performances as part of a USO tour as well as visits with wounded Soldiers who have come home, evoking a sense of patriotism that has led her to become deeply involved with the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes. Rimes, who serves as one of the coalition's spokespersons, said the organization helps wounded Soldiers reintegrate into society when they return from the war. "No matter where you stand politically, I think everyone should support the men and women over there fighting," she said. "She's done so much for the Air Force and the military by helping out veterans and our wounded," said Sergeant Somheil. During the radio taping, the broadcast producer said Rimes recalled her childhood excitement on Christmas Eve and discussed the influence of world events on her songwriting for the new album released Oct. 9. This year's "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio show features the holiday singles "I Miss You Like Christmas," "All I Want For Christmas," "Wonderful World," and "A Different Kind of Christmas." It also includes the singles "What I Can Not Change" and "I Want You With Me" from her newest release, Family. In its 13th year, the program is sent to more than 3,300 country radio stations throughout the nation in late November and broadcast worldwide over American Forces Radio and Television affiliates on Christmas day, said Jimmy Spacek, the AFRS broadcasting manager. He said the public service program aims to raise awareness of the Air Force and military service through messages of support and encouragement from various country music stars. "The show gives stations the opportunity to weave our program into their holiday programming," added Spacek. "The one-hour special includes several spot breaks with built-in local availabilities the station can use along with public service announcements from some of the stars who have contributed to the show in the past." The "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" traces its roots to the 1970s when the Air Force 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 was later renamed with its current title.