Bob L. Burton
- Director
- Producer
- Publicist
Bob Burton has represented Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, actors Neil Patrick Harris and Mayim Bialik, singer-songwriter Jude Johnstone, producer/engineer Henry Lewy and Texas folk-rock band Wheatfield/St. Elmo's Fire.
Burton decided to pursue a career in talent representation while watching a local Houston, Texas singer-songwriter perform in a coffee house. He started Burton Entertainment in 1975 for artist representation. For the next four years he managed the Texas folk-rock band Wheatfield, ultimately named St. Elmo's Fire, which included the singer-songwriter from the coffee house, Connie Mims. The band gained national media recognition in 1976, with two events. First, was Wheatfield's appearance on the inaugural season of PBS's Austin City Limits. The second event was performing and composing the music for the world premiere of the rock ballet "Caliban," based on Shakespeare's "The Tempest" with The Houston Ballet. The successful collaboration with the Houston Ballet led to St. Elmo's Fire performing "Caliban" with the Chicago Ballet and the Dallas Ballet in 1977. St. Elmo's Fire continued with the creative challenge of composing music for rock ballets with "Rasputin" and the Dallas Ballet in 1978.
In 1980 Burton relocated from Austin, Texas to Los Angeles, CA to advance his career of artist representation in music while expanding into television and film. He formed a partnership with engineer/producer Henry Lewy to visit LA clubs and discover a talented singer-songwriter. Lewy had worked with singer-songwriters from the 60's & 70's including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen among others. In 1982 they signed Jude Johnstone, after watching her performance at The Bla Bla Cafe' in Studio City. Burton began managing Johnstone and Lewy produced her at his home base, A&M studios. Thereafter, Burton represented Johnstone and Lewy for public relations/management.
In 1985 Burton persuaded NBC Television's "The Today Show" to feature the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 50th Anniversary celebration in Ashland, Oregon. The following year Burton became the Director of Creative Services for NBC Television in Burbank, CA. While at NBC, he represented talent appearing in NBC's movies, specials, and daytime programs. There he met Pat Sajak, host of "Wheel of Fortune." In 1987, Burton left NBC for CBS Television as Director of Publicity to launch the late-night program, "The Pat Sajak Show." After the show ended in 1990 he returned to personal artist representation with clients Pat Sajak, Neil Patrick Harris, Mayim Bialik, and Jude Johnstone.
Burton formed two business partnerships with Pat Sajak. Sajak Music, a music publishing company in 1997, and in 2001 BoJak Records was created subsequently releasing 8 albums by Jude Johnstone. Burton has represented Sajak since 1988 and Johnstone since 1982.
Burton co-directed and co-produced with partner Evan Archerd the documentary "The Man Behind the Music" through their production company Below Stairs Productions. The documentary is a tribute to friend Henry Lewy, who died in 2006. The short documentary was selected for the New York Independent Film Festival, Prescott Film Festival, and Amsterdam Film Festivals in 2018.
Burton decided to pursue a career in talent representation while watching a local Houston, Texas singer-songwriter perform in a coffee house. He started Burton Entertainment in 1975 for artist representation. For the next four years he managed the Texas folk-rock band Wheatfield, ultimately named St. Elmo's Fire, which included the singer-songwriter from the coffee house, Connie Mims. The band gained national media recognition in 1976, with two events. First, was Wheatfield's appearance on the inaugural season of PBS's Austin City Limits. The second event was performing and composing the music for the world premiere of the rock ballet "Caliban," based on Shakespeare's "The Tempest" with The Houston Ballet. The successful collaboration with the Houston Ballet led to St. Elmo's Fire performing "Caliban" with the Chicago Ballet and the Dallas Ballet in 1977. St. Elmo's Fire continued with the creative challenge of composing music for rock ballets with "Rasputin" and the Dallas Ballet in 1978.
In 1980 Burton relocated from Austin, Texas to Los Angeles, CA to advance his career of artist representation in music while expanding into television and film. He formed a partnership with engineer/producer Henry Lewy to visit LA clubs and discover a talented singer-songwriter. Lewy had worked with singer-songwriters from the 60's & 70's including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen among others. In 1982 they signed Jude Johnstone, after watching her performance at The Bla Bla Cafe' in Studio City. Burton began managing Johnstone and Lewy produced her at his home base, A&M studios. Thereafter, Burton represented Johnstone and Lewy for public relations/management.
In 1985 Burton persuaded NBC Television's "The Today Show" to feature the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 50th Anniversary celebration in Ashland, Oregon. The following year Burton became the Director of Creative Services for NBC Television in Burbank, CA. While at NBC, he represented talent appearing in NBC's movies, specials, and daytime programs. There he met Pat Sajak, host of "Wheel of Fortune." In 1987, Burton left NBC for CBS Television as Director of Publicity to launch the late-night program, "The Pat Sajak Show." After the show ended in 1990 he returned to personal artist representation with clients Pat Sajak, Neil Patrick Harris, Mayim Bialik, and Jude Johnstone.
Burton formed two business partnerships with Pat Sajak. Sajak Music, a music publishing company in 1997, and in 2001 BoJak Records was created subsequently releasing 8 albums by Jude Johnstone. Burton has represented Sajak since 1988 and Johnstone since 1982.
Burton co-directed and co-produced with partner Evan Archerd the documentary "The Man Behind the Music" through their production company Below Stairs Productions. The documentary is a tribute to friend Henry Lewy, who died in 2006. The short documentary was selected for the New York Independent Film Festival, Prescott Film Festival, and Amsterdam Film Festivals in 2018.
