Mark Austin

Mark C. Austin has spent more than two decades helping shape the music landscape in Houston and across Texas. He currently serves as the Director of Programming at Sugar Land’s Smart Financial Centre, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, where he works to bring world-class artists and productions to one of the region’s premier live entertainment venues.

Mark’s career in music began behind the camera as a music photographer, with work featured in Rolling Stone, SPIN, Paste, and Village Voice. His photography, which captured both rising stars and legendary performers, was featured in permanent installations at Warehouse Live in Houston and the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Transitioning from photography to talent buying and artist management, Mark founded The Convoy Group, a Houston-based music management and promotions company. Through The Convoy Group and his work as a senior talent buyer for Kessler Presents, Mark has booked, produced, and promoted official events for leading organizations such as Sony, Red Bull, NFL, SXSW, the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, Budweiser, and the Texas Music Office. In 2017, he was part of the Super Bowl LI talent-buying team for Super Bowl Live, which featured artists including ZZ Top, Leon Bridges, Solange, and Ryan Bingham among more than 80 other Texas-based artists.

Beyond programming and promotions, Mark is deeply committed to supporting local musicians and strengthening Houston’s creative infrastructure. He served for two terms as Vice Chair of the Houston Mayor’s Music Advisory Board, helping guide initiatives to elevate and sustain the city’s music ecosystem. In 2020, he co-founded the Houston Music Foundation with his wife, Rachel Austin, raising and distributing nearly $100,000 in relief funding for Houston-area artists during the pandemic.

Originally from Louisiana, Mark moved to Houston in 1999 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He is a husband, father of three, and an advocate for Houston’s ever-evolving music community.