New York, NY, November 10, 2008 –vh1 Soul is hitting the road to visit some of the most famous metropolises around the country with its first original series “Soul Cities.†Viewers will accompany host Nelson George as he embarks on his search to experience the soul in some of America’s greatest cities. Nelson, an award-winning author, filmmaker, television producer, and African-American culture critic, will provide viewers a unique perspective of the music, culture, history, food, people, and famous spaces and places that makes each city soulful in its own way. “Soul Cities†visits the recording studios, churches, radio stations and restaurants that produced some of the most influential music and moments of soul culture. The cities featured in this original series are Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area- which includes San Francisco and Oakland.
Premiering weekly on VH1 Soul beginning Tuesday, November 11 at 9PM*, this six episode, 30-minute original series will feature exclusive and original interviews with top urban music artists as they reminisce about their journeys from their hometowns to the stage and everything in between. A search for soul is not complete without experiencing the food – soul food that is. Nelson George indulges in the culinary delights in each city and gets the chance to taste food that represents the deep culture of soul. The series will also showcase live music and conversations with artists like Babyface, Raheem DeVaughn, ?uest Love of The Roots, Labelle (featuring Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, & Sarah Dash), Angie Stone, Irma Thomas, Lalah Hathaway, Robin Thicke, Gamble and Huff, and VH1 Soul’s “You Oughta Knowâ€artist, Jazmine Sullivan.
The premiere roll-out schedule of VH1 Soul “Soul Cities†is as follows:
o Philadelphia – Series premiere on Tuesday, November 11 at 9PM ET/PT
o Chicago – premieres on Tuesday, November 18 at 9PM ET/PT
o Bay Area – premieres on Tuesday, November 25 at 9PM ET/PT
o New Orleans – premieres Tuesday, December 2 at 9PM ET/PT
o Memphis – premieres Tuesday, December 9 at 9PM ET/PT
o Los Angeles – premieres Tuesday, December 16 at 9PM ET/PT
This new and compelling series is a warm and enlightening experience, appealing to those that desire to experience America’s cities in a soulful light – connecting with the true essence of soul music’s past and present via music, culture, food and lifestyle.
VH1 Soul “Soul Cities†is executive produced by Nelson George, Jac Benson for Blacjac Entertainment and Lee Rolontz and Keshia Williams for VH1.
Launched in 1997, VH1 Soul is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul an R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Outkast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul, the premier source for all R&B and soul music, is now seen in the Top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans and is available in nearly 20 million U.S. households.
