Bernard Porter
Bernard Porter is a seasoned entertainment executive with 26 years of experience. His A&R prowess is nationally recognized.
1991 to 1995 Bernard Porter worked as an agent in the television performance division of Spotlight Limited, whose roster boasted Mr. T., Hose Feliciano, top comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Damon Wayans. He later formed a management partnership and represented Russian painter Gregory Maiofis, comedian Yakof Smirnoff, magician Harry Blackstone, Jr. and comedian Lonnie Shorr. When Porter gained the opportunity to be involved in opening the Nashville branch of the company, he jumped at the chance.
1995 to 2001 Porter formed Big Fish Entertainment, Inc. as an artist management and publishing company. The company's publishing divisions, Hookline East (ASCAP) and Reel In Music (BMI), have produced several Top 10 hits.
In 1996, Jerry Lee Lewis signed Porter as his exclusive manager and booking agent and led Lewis to the highest-grossing year of his career. Porter also packaged and trademarked a summer series tour titled "The Architects of Rock 'n' Roll" featuring Jerry Lee Lewis and rock icon Little Richard. Porter served as an entertainment consultant to many large corporations as well as specialty venues including the Mall Of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dave & Busters; and Marriott Hotels.
2001 to 2005 Porter partnered with Stan Moress, Mike Martinovich and Al Schiltz, three music row veterans, to form the Consortium. This management and marketing firm also created an imprint label through Broken Bow Records, called BBR/C4 - Sony Red distribution. C4 encompassed the four partners Moress/Martinovich/Shiltz/Porter in an alignment with president/owner of Broken Bow, Benny Brown. Porter acted as director of A&R and was instrumental in signing Jason Aldean, Megan Mullins, Joe Diffie and Lila McCann to the label. In ’05, C4’s total interest was purchased by Broken Bow records.
2005 to present Porter partnered with Mark Begelman former COO of Office Depot to form PCG. Porter’s diversity as a business man is ever evident through this venture. Partnering with Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan in creating CRG (Creehan Restaurant Group) a restaurant management and real estate holdings company; Beach Walk claiming the title of The Gulfs Premiere Dining experience (Florida Coast magazine) with plans to open/own 2-3 high end brand restaurants by end of ’07. Porter also acts as Creehans agent in dealing with mega appliance giant DCS by Fisher and Paykel. Porter has also been successful in aligning Chef Creehan with Frito Lay in print campaigns, commercials for the Food Network as well as promotional events with companies like Sea Ray yachts and SCANPAN. Bernard Porter Productions is currently in development of a lifestyles television segment that will feature Chef Tim Creehan and the appliance giant DCS by Fisher and Paykel Bernard Porter Productions has produced several video marketing pieces for high end companies like DCS by Fisher and Paykel;
In 08 to present
Bernard Porter and Teddy Gentry (founding member of the super group Alabama) partner to form Porter-Gentry Productions; an artist development company~ handling music publishing, masters and entertainment related merchandise.
April 1, 2008 PG Productions signs a deal to head the marketing and promotional efforts for the Wind-up Records country division. Wind-up Records is currently the largest privately owned record label in the U.S. the roster includes Creed, Evanescence, Seether, Finger Eleven and many others in development. Wind-up Nashville's first artist Eric Durrance has an '08 release date for his record, the album is produced by Teddy Gentry and Mark Bright (Rascal Flats/ Carrie Underwood).
An active philanthropist, Porter produces/consults many fundraisers including Country Steps in for First Steps, an annual fundraising concert hosted by recording artist Joe Diffie and featuring performances by the biggest names in country music. First Steps is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding a Nashville-based school for children with special needs and disabilities. Through the concert, Porter has helped to raise more than $700,000.
Television Appearances:
- NBC - Starting Over - Life Coach - 4 Episodes
- Colgate Country Showdown - Judge - winner received $100,000
- USA Network - Nashville Star - Regional Judge
- E! Entertainment - National Karaoke Championship - Judge - winner received $50,000 in cash and prizes
