Mark C. Austin, founder and owner of The Convoy Group, celebrated his 40th birthday, ringing in the big day with an epic charity concert at The Heights Theater.
The entertainment lineup was as killer as you’d expect from the music manager and promoter who represents some of Houston’s most prominent acts, including The Suffers. The band, fresh off returning from their European tour, has made appearances on the likes of Jimmy Kimmel and The Daily Show, and also headlined Houston’s Super Bowl LIVE.
Hitting the stage at the blowout birthday bash were multi-instrumentalist/electronic artist US, alternative act Say Girl Say, multi-instrumentalist/electronic artist Kay Weathers, rapper Guilla, and indie rock artists Walker Lukens and Romina von Mohr.
The TonTons, who kicked off their set with two new songs, “Clock in” and “Sycophant" from their upcoming release, closed out the concert portion of the evening, although the night was far from over. Spins by electronic duo the Wrestlers kept the party going for the long haul with attendees, who enjoyed fare donated by Vietnamese sandwich spot Oui Banh Mi, celebrating until 2 am.
Midway through the evening, event emcees Craig Hlavaty and Mills-McCoin, along with Austin’s close friend Friday Ellis, addressed the crowd of 331 attendees. Each shared stories about Austin, with one common sentiment. “He’s a really kind, compassionate guy,” said Ellis.
All proceeds from the night, which totaled more than $10,000, benefit Donate Life Texas, the official organ and tissue donor registry of the state of Texas.
Raising funds and awareness for Donate Life Texas holds special meaning for Austin, whose mother passed away while waiting on kidney transplant when she was only 52 years old. “Although this is not for me, but for other families who could be in my position,” Austin tells CultureMap.
Celebrating Austin and supporting a good cause were Jack Massing, Dallas’ Edwin Cabaniss, Omar Afra, Laura Childress, Tony Livesay, Ben Goldstein, Paige Clardy, Shiva Zamen, Trish Badger, Chris Nolen, Min Yow, Jeffrey Whitley, Ross Grimes, Jenny Grimes, David Grimes, and Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers.
Walker Lukens.
