VH1's Iconic Series "Behind The Music" Celebrates 15th Anniversary Season With Eight New Episodes

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1's five-time Emmy Award-nominated documentary series "Behind The Music" returns to focus on eight of today's most influential icons in the music world. The series launches its landmark 15^th year since inception with a  roster of top artists including: NE-YO, Nicole Scherzinger, Gym Class Heroes, Toni Braxton, T.I. (updated), P!nk (updated) and the previously announced Carrie Underwood and Train. The franchise is also expanding on VH1.com with the addition of "Behind the Song," a companion series of original, standalone mini episodes where select artists discuss the inspiration behind a signature song. The new season will premiere Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 9pm ET/PT. 

"Behind The Music: TRAIN" Airs Sunday, September 16 at 9pm ET/PT
"Behind The Music: Train" highlights the accomplishments of Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford, and Scott Underwood; a rock band from San Francisco, California formed in 1994. Train's original members Rob Hotchkiss and Charlie Colin, as well as Monahan, Stafford and Underwood achieved mainstream success with their debut album, Train, which was officially released in 1998 and was certified double platinum in the United States and Canada. After multi-platinum success, drug problems, fights over money and torn relationships, Train went into a 2 year hiatus. Upon reuniting, they climbed back on top of the charts with the Grammy-Award winning single, "Hey Soul Sister," the first single from Save Me, San Francisco. It became the #1 most downloaded song of 2010, leading Train to receive a Grammy Award and platinum status for the album.

"Behind The Music: Train" openly discusses what went wrong and how reuniting brought them closer together. The band discusses the emotional loss of Pat's mother dying from cancer and how she inspired the creation of "Drops of Jupiter," their biggest hit, which won 2 Grammy Awards in 2002. Train recently completed their 6^th studio album, California 37. The album has 11 songs that were written over the course of 3 years while touring the globe. The 1^st single from the new album, "Drive By," is currently dominating the radio charts.

"Behind The Music: NE-YO" Airs Sunday, September 23 at 9pm ET/PT
"Behind The Music: NE-YO" will show exclusive footage of the young singer/songwriter performing on Showtime at the Apollo as a member of the boy band Envy. The band opened up for then up-and-coming R&B girl group Destiny's Child.  Years later, after getting career-making breaks from Jay-Z and LA Reid (who is interviewed in the episode), NE-YO would go-on to write one of Beyonce's biggest hits, ("Irreplaceable") as well as write and/or produce for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and others. He is one of the last artists to work with Michael Jackson, his idol. Additional topics in the episode include past heartbreaks, his current relationship and his love of fatherhood.

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist NE-YO (Shaffer Chimere Smith) is currently working on his 5th studio album, R.E.D. He is the recipient of 2 BET Awards, 2 MOBO Awards, 2 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 Soul Train Music Awards, and 3 Grammy Awards.  NE-YO has also been appointed as Senior Vice President of A&R for Motown. In addition to his musical success, NE-YO has been cast in major studio films including Stomp the Yard, Battle: Los Angeles and Red Tails, the chronicle of the Tuskegee Airmen.

"Behind The Music: Carrie Underwood" Airs Sunday, September 30 at 9pm ET/PT
In "Behind The Music: Carrie Underwood," the singer speaks openly about the challenges that came along with her sudden fame and the process of auditioning for and ultimately winning American Idol. She also discusses her search for love, which led to her fairytale romance with her hockey player husband, Mike Fisher. Carrie's Blown Away album made history this spring by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in the 47 year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1. Blown Away also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1. "Good Girl," her first single from Blown Away, has already achieved the No. 1 slot on both Billboard and Country Aircheck's country airplay charts and became her 15th career No. 1 single. Carrie will co-host the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley this fall and was recently nominated as "Female Vocalist of the Year," her seventh career nod in this category.

Since releasing Some Hearts in 2005, Carrie has sold more than 15 million albums with Some Hearts, 2007's Carnival Ride, and 2009's Play On making her the best-selling American Idol in the U.S.  She's accumulated 15 No. 1 singles, seven of which she co-wrote, and became the first country artist in history and the only American Idol winner ever to achieve 10 no. 1 singles from their first two albums.  She is a five-time Grammy winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Carrie will also take the stage for the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning series, "VH1 Presents: Carrie Underwood Unplugged" premiering October 2 at 4pm ET on VH1.com and 7pm ET on VH1.

"Behind The Music: Nicole Scherzinger" Airs Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT
On "Behind The Music: Nicole Scherzinger," the singer discusses the road to stardom and the struggles along the way, including her relentless lifelong drive to be successful. She will open up for the first time about the behind-the-scenes tension that came with the mega success of the Pussycat Dolls. She also shares how her relationship with current boyfriend, race car driver Lewis Hamilton has changed her life.

Nicole Scherzinger knew from a young age that she was destined to be a singer. After competing in the reality show "Pop Stars," she won a slot as one of the lead vocalists in the all-girl group Eden's Crush, who scored the Top 10 single "Get Over Yourself (Goodbye)." Soon afterwards, Nicole joined the Pussycat Dolls. In 2003, the group became a worldwide phenomenon, releasing two albums, 2005's PCD, which has sold nine million copies worldwide and 2008's worldwide million-seller Doll Domination. They also scored a string of massive hit singles, including the No. 1's "Don't Cha" and "Buttons," the Grammy-nominated "Stickwitu," "I Hate This Part" and "When I Grow Up," which hit the Top 10 in 16 countries. The group won two Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and toured with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and The Black Eyed Peas. In addition, Scherzinger showcased her ability to groom and mentor other talent, serving as a judge on both The Sing Off and The X Factor. She was recently announced as a judge on The X Factor UK. This year, Scherzinger will also achieve one of her life-long dreams, the release of her debut solo album, released by Interscope Records. 

"Behind The Music: Gym Class Heroes" Airs Sunday, October 14 at 9pm ET/PT
Alternative/hip-hop group Gym Class Heroes first catapulted to international stardom in 2007 with their #1 hit "Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast In America," which set the record for holding the top spot on the Top 40 radio charts for the most consecutive weeks by a band, and helped earn them the "Best New Artist" award at the MTV Video Awards that same year.  As a solo artist, Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy was responsible for one of the biggest songs of 2010 with his smash single "Billionaire (featuring Bruno Mars)."  Last year, Gym Class Heroes scored their second #1 hit with "Stereo Hearts" (featuring Adam Levine), the lead single from their fourth Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen release, The Papercut Chronicles II.  The album also spawned the Top 5 smash "Ass Back Home (featuring Neon Hitch)" and their current single "The Fighter (featuring Ryan Tedder)" whose companion music video features Olympic gymnast John Orozco.

"Behind The Music: Gym Class Heroes" focuses on the rapid rise of the band, who gained popularity with the release of their album, As Cruel As Schoolchildren. With that success came significant challenges, however, as Travie McCoy openly discusses his battle with addiction to painkillers and his very public relationship and breakup with pop superstar Katy Perry. The overall success of the band keeps them a force in hip-hop music and pop culture. Collectively, Travie and Gym Class Heroes have sold over 2 million albums worldwide and over 10 million digital singles.

Behind The Music: Toni Braxton" Airs Sunday, October 28 at 9pm ET/PT
In "Behind The Music: Toni Braxton," the ultimate R&B icon and survivor speaks candidly and openly for the first time about her roller coaster career journey: her health struggles, including her diagnosis with lupus and her son's autism, and sets the record straight on her two bankruptcy filings. Despite the setbacks, her career accomplishments are phenomenal and this compelling, eye-opening story will be one that viewers will never forget.

Toni Braxton's first professional experience was singing in a church choir. Her distinctive sultry vocal blend of R&B, POP, Jazz and Gospel became an instant international sensation when she released her first solo recording in 1992. Today, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is recognized as one of the most outstanding voices of this generation. Her single "Unbreak My Heart" came in the fall of 1996 and was recognized with the coveted Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It has become her signature song, and ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist. Most recently, Braxton is enjoying huge success with her reality show, "Braxton Family Values."

"Behind the Music: T.I." (Updated) Airs Sunday, November 4 at 9pm ET/PT
"Behind the Music: T.I."  (aka Clifford Harris Jr.) will catch up with the prolific rapper in the eventful 3 years since his last "Behind the Music" special. T.I.'s update will include the artist and wife Tiny discussing both stints in prison and lessons learned.  He also discusses his wedding to Tiny, their hit reality show, "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle," (returning to VH1 September 3 at 9pm), his life as a husband and father, as well as his growing acting career, the publication of his book and the upcoming release of his highly anticipated 8^th studio album.

After an adolescence of crime, violence, and drugs on the tough streets of Atlanta, T.I., channeled his frustration and sadness into rapping. In 2007, while attempting to buy a firearm, T.I. was set up in a sting operation and busted by federal agents.  After serving a year in prison, T.I. was sent back in 2009 for a parole violation. Upon release nearly 2 years later, he made an important decision to change his approach and has since become a mentor, reaching out to troubled youth and preaching against the very mistakes that he made.

"Behind The Music: P!nk" (Updated) Airs Tuesday, November 13 at 10pm ET/PT*
"Behind The Music: P!nk" will discuss how motherhood has changed her life as well as her continued career success since her previous "Behind the Music" special. The show will also include new interviews with P!nk and her husband, Carey Hart.

Since her debut in 2000, P!nk (Alecia Moore) has released 6 albums, sold over 32 million albums, 65 million singles (nearly 20 million digital tracks), over 1 million DVDs worldwide and has had 12 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. She is the recipient of 3 Grammy Awards, 2 Billboard Music Awards, 5 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 MTV Europe Awards, 2 People's Choice Awards, and many more. P!nk's last studio album Funhouse debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and produced the smash single "So What", which marked P!nk's 2nd #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 (after "Lady Marmalade"). Her latest album, Greatest Hits So Far… debuted in the Top 10 in over 13 countries and spawned the hit singles, "F**ckin Perfect" and "Raise Your Glass" which marked P!nk's 3rd #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.  P!nk is set to release her 6th studio album, The Truth About Love on September 18th. The first single "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" has sky-rocketed to the top of music charts all over the world and mark's P!nk's 12thTop 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

*Spend Tuesday, November 13 with P!nk and VH1, with "Behind the Music: P!nk" at 10pm ET/PT followed by "VH1 Storytellers: P!nk" premiering at 11pm ET/PT.

About Behind The Music:
The series debuted on VH1 in August of 1997 and was originally created and produced for VH1 by Gay Rosenthal, George Moll and Jeff Gaspin who were responsible for many of the channel's 200+ episodes of the series. The current series is executive produced by Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Stephen Mintz and Jeff Olde for VH1.  Executives in charge of music talent are Rick Krim and Leah Horwitz.  Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez serve as Executive Producers for the Carrie Underwood, Gym Class Heroes and Toni Braxton episodes on behalf of Creature Films.

VH1.com will also be home to extended interviews and footage from each episode, including "Behind the Song," a series of stand-alone webisodes and interviews that tell the story behind the making and/or meaning of specific songs by select artists. Follow @VH1 on Twitter and use hashtag #BehindTheMusic to discuss the series. "Like" VH1 on Facebook for updates, bonus video and other exclusives.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, and extensive video on VH1.com.  VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  For more information, go to www.vh1press.com.  

SOURCE VH1