WAYLAND, NY — Country music icon Kenny Rogers will be bringing his "Christmas And Hits" tour to Elmira, and Rochester — and again he will be joined on stage by students from Wayland-Cohocton Central School.

This will be the third year that a group from the school has joined Rogers for his holiday show. The first, in 2004 with shows in Elmira and Buffalo, and again in 2007 for an Elmira show.

Music department head Brenda Richey received a call from Rogers' management last month asking if a group was available for three shows, which would have included Turning Stone Casino in Verona. Logistically, that show would have been hard to participate in mainly due to the distance, but the group gave an enthusiastic yes to the other two shows.

The "Wayland-Cohocton Concert Chorale" will include about 25 past and present members of the high schools "Select Chorus" and will be under the direction of both Brenda Richey in Elmira, and George Standish in Rochester.

In addition six elementary students were chosen to appear with Rogers, in a segment of the show where he tells stories of the origins of certain Christmas carols, and sings with the kids. Those students are Nina Rawleigh, Cecilia Kuhn, Grace Conrad, Jacob Paufler, Garret Beaupre, and Makenzie King. WCCS Elementary music teacher Rhonda Parker, along with Richey, has been preparing the kids for the upcoming shows.

WCCS students have also shared a stage in the past with crooner Andy Williams, and counrty star John Berry.

The "Christmas And Hits" show, as the name implies mixes Holiday favorites along with some of Rogers biggest hits like, "The Gambler", "Lady", and "Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town," and will also feature country artist, Rebecca Lynn Howard.

The Elmira show, at First Arena is Dec. 12 while the Rochester show is at the Auditorium Theater on December 22nd. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 722-3711 or www.ticketmaster.com.