Meghan Linsey To Serve As Santa Train Celebrity Guest

KINGSPORT, Tenn., Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising pop star and "The Voice" Season 8 runner-up Meghan Linsey will be the celebrity guest on the Santa Train when it makes its 73^rd journey to bring gifts to Appalachian families on Saturday, Nov. 21.

She will accompany Santa and event sponsors CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce on the 110-mile trek. Fans can use the hashtag #santatrain15 to engage in the Santa Train conversation on social media.

"I'm honored to be the celebrity guest on this year's Santa Train," Linsey said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to give back and be a part of something that has become a holiday tradition for many families, and I am looking forward to being a part of it."

2015 has been a big year for Linsey, who released her EP titled "Believer" in July. The six-song EP highlights her crossover from country music to pop and debuted at No. 6 on the iTunes pop chart.

"We are so glad to have Meghan Linsey join us on this year's Santa Train," said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility for CSX. "We are thankful for the support we receive each year from our celebrity guests. It's humbling to see artists add to the holiday cheer the Santa Train brings to the region."

Prior to her appearance on "The Voice," Linsey was half of the country duo Steel Magnolia, which dominated top charts in 2009. Linsey has had three Top 5 songs on the iTunes all-genre chart, including "Change My Mind," which she performed as an original song on "The Voice" finale.

The Santa Train makes 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee and delivers toys, food and winter clothing to hundreds of children and families along the way.

About the Santa Train:
Now in its 73^rd year, the Santa Train runs along a 110-mile route through Appalachia, making 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee to distribute more than 15 tons of toys to Appalachian families. The Santa Train is sponsored by CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.  Please visit http://www.beyondourrails.org/events/santa-train for more information. For updates about the #SantaTrain15, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

About Meghan Linsey:
Meghan Linsey is taking the nation by storm with her powerful, soulful voice. Growing up in the melting pot of music that is New Orleans, Linsey credits her distinctive sound to the artists she grew up listening to – Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker, to name a few. At the age of 14, Linsey started playing shows with her own band, and a year later she was opening for acts like Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton. Since her success on "The Voice," she has released her debut EP, "Believer," which hit No. 7 on the iTunes pop chart. Please visit meghanlinsey.com for more information.

Video - https://youtu.be/P_hL3KHusfw
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150826/261177

SOURCE CSX Corporation