Trace Adkins Competes for American Red Cross on "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"

Country superstar to support nation's premier disaster relief organization

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trace Adkins, award-winning country music star, will compete on behalf of the American Red Cross during Donald Trump's "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC. Adkins is a recent addition to the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and his family was helped by the organization after a fire. He was also recently named as the organization's spokesperson for the 2012  Holiday Giving Campaign, encouraging people to "give something that means something" this holiday season.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO )

"When my home was claimed by fire last year, Red Cross volunteers were among the first on-site," Adkins said. "They looked after my family when I couldn't be there and offered help. We were fortunate because we could replace the things we lost but that's not always the case for every disaster victim. That's when the Red Cross steps in. I am supporting the mission of the Red Cross and hope to help them reach more people in need," Adkins said.

Adkins, a long-time supporter of members of the U.S. Armed forces, recently recorded several radio PSAs for the organization's Holiday Mail for Heroes program with his new song, "Tough People Do," which will appear on his upcoming album on Show Dog-Universal (release date and title to be announced). People are encouraged to send holiday cards through the program and the Red Cross will distribute them to veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.

"We are excited and very grateful that Trace Adkins' will be playing 'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' on behalf of the American Red Cross," said Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern. "We appreciate Trace's remarkable commitment to the Red Cross and those we serve."

Adkins, who, in addition to being a multi-platinum country music singer, is also an actor and author, will join 13 other business-savvy celebrity contestants to compete with the goal of raising money and awareness for their charity of choice. The last person standing will be chosen as the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and will have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to his or her designated charity. Last season, "The Celebrity Apprentice" raised $3.1 million for charity, a record amount for the show. "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" will air Sundays on NBC in 2013.  Please visit the official show site for more details.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross