By Lena W. Claybon
Herbert Bernard Lee (“Bernard” as he’s referred to these days) is the epitome of a “hometown boy made good”. Growing up in Ruston and going to schools in both Ruston and Grambling, Bernard’s beginnings were very humble but now he works with music superstars throughout the country producing events and tours and selling out packed houses via his event management and production company, Infinity Productions Worldwide.
The Grambling Connection recently sat down with Bernard on his recent visit to Grambling during homecoming week where he was responsible for bringing in DC Young Fly, Coco Jones, Lloyd and JJ Hairston for the entertainment. We wanted to find out how he got started in the concert production business and see if he could give any advice to those who might want to follow in his footsteps.
GC: So, before we get into the meat and potatoes, tell [our readers] about your background so they’ll know a little about you.
Bernard: I’m originally from the area. Lived in Ruston but went to high school in Grambling where I played basketball [under Coach Bratton}. Graduated in ’76 and went to Kansas State on a basketball scholarship. After that, I moved to Houston and ended up getting a job selling cars. So, one day, I sold a couple of vans to a guy who worked at a radio station in Houston. When I went to deliver the vans, the guy, basically, asked me if I’d be interested in working in radio. I told him I wasn’t a disc jockey but he said no I would be selling air time. Not only that, but it was a commission job. So, I hesitated.
I told him I was already working a commission job so I’d have to talk it over with my wife and he said, and I’ll never forget, he said, “If you got to go home and talk to your wife about a career, I don’t need you.” That broke me. The next week I went to work in radio and then I found out who I was working for. My boss was Don Rosette who, at the time, was the Southern University Alumni President and the Owner of the station was Willie Davis, who was a Grambling graduate and a Superbowl champion. He played for the Green Bay Packers and went on to own All Pro Broadcasting and had stations all over the country.
GC: Yes, I definitely know who he is! So, is that how you got interested in doing concerts and working with artists, once you started working in radio?
Bernard: Actually no. My interest started way before that. When I was still in high school, both my parents worked and I’d have to wait on them to pick me up after school so I’d walk up on campus, and I’d often see Eddie Henderson (Director of Student Activities) unloading trucks that were bringing in the gear for concerts and events that was happening on campus. I was fascinated so I started hanging around him. So, he saw I was interested and he took me up under his wings and started teaching me how it all worked. So, over time, I saw everybody that came through Grambling. I saw The O’Jays, The Commodores, Gladys Knight, James Brown, everybody.
GC: Wow, that’s great. So, that’s where the spark started?
Bernard: Yes, and when I went off to college, every summer I’d return and put on gospel events at my church. I would get choirs from all over and bring them in to do concerts at New Hope Baptist Church in Ruston.
GC: Ok, so that was your initial foray into putting together your own events?
Bernard: Right, and after I started working in radio, we would hold events all the time. Big events. So, I learned more and more. Then, I got a call from Dr. Gerald Peeples who was Vice President of Students Affairs at Southern who asked me if I could put together their homecoming concert. So, I did.
GC: So, that was your first HBCU concert but how did you get involved in doing all the other schools?
Bernard: Dr. Peeples ‘gifted’ me with a company. [By that I mean] he’d call and say, “Call this person over at Alcorn, “Call this person over at Mississippi Valley”, etc. and before long, I was doing all these concerts at HBCU’s and bringing in all kinds of artists.
GC: Who all have you worked with?
Bernard: Oh my God, [almost too many to name], but I’ve worked with Lil Wayne, Drake, Patti, Gladys, Charlie Wilson, Oleta Adams, Layla Hathaway, Regina Bell [just to name a few]. Then on the gospel side, Tamala and David Mann, the Winans, JJ Hairston… just some of everybody.
GC: So where do you see your company evolving to from here?
Bernard: Our goal is to develop Infinity Productions into a full-fledged national touring company that tours at least 52 to 40 weeks out of a year.
GC: So, what advice would you give to young people who might be interested in doing what you do?
Bernard: Well, I always suggest that if you are looking to get into the business, look to find an internship with somebody so that you can start growing and learning the business from. You’ve got to have people who can mentor you and you got to be able to listen. That’s one thing. You don’t know it all and you can’t do it by yourself. You may think you can, but you cannot.
GC: Alright, any parting words you’d like to leave us with?
Bernard: Yes, I want to thank Grambling State University for the tremendous opportunity they have given us to come in here and be a part of the homecoming activities because there is deep history here. So, we want to thank Dean Marcus Kennedy, Craig [Johnson], Dr. Ellis, and the President, for giving us this opportunity.
GC: Well, thank you for taking time out to talk with us today and we wish you continued success with your business!
Bernard: Thank you.