TLC AND BILLY RAY CYRUS TEAM UP TO REUNITE MILITARY FAMILIES IN "SURPRISE HOMECOMING"

Special Sneak Peek Airs Memorial Day Followed by Series Premiere on July 11

(Los Angeles, Ca.) - TLC pays tribute to America's brave soldiers with SURPRISE HOMECOMING, a compelling new series that reunites military men and women with their families after serving time overseas. The eight-part series kicks off with a special sneak peek on Memorial Day - Monday, May 30 - at 10 PM ET/PT, followed by the series premiere on Monday, July 11 in the same timeslot.

With SURPRISE HOMECOMING, viewers will have a front-row seat to the day that every soldier dreams about as they surprise their loved ones in the biggest possible way. Hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus, each hour-long episode features three powerful surprise homecomings along with personal home videos of other touching military family reunions. Cyrus - whose new single, "Runway Lights," will serve as the series' theme song - personally helps reunite one family per episode. Engrossing and moving, audiences will experience the stories of these men, women and children who have endured long periods of time apart and witness first-hand the heartwarming moment when they are finally reconnected.

"Being a part of SURPRISE HOMECOMING has truly been an honor and a privilege for me. Not to mention a whole lot of fun," says Cyrus. "I love the joy of surprises! My favorite part about Christmas and birthdays is having that special gift that no one knows is coming. In this case, it's even better. Our soldiers and their families have made, and continue to make, a huge sacrifice for our freedom and protecting this great country that we live in. This is my way of saying 'thank you'."

SURPRISE HOMECOMING is produced for TLC by Authentic Entertainment. Executive producers for Authentic Entertainment are Tom Rogan, Lauren Lexton, Catherine Meyers, and Billy Ray Cyrus is producer.

Billy Ray Cyrus, multi-platinum artist, returns to his patriotic roots with the June 28 release of his new album I'm American on Buena Vista Records. Cyrus' collection of songs dedicated to the spirit of being American, features special guest appearances by Amy Grant and country artists (also veterans) Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan and Darryl Worley.