What is your connection to the Houston music scene?
I began my career as an accountant, working in audit and risk analysis. That was by day. By night, I was out photographing and promoting local music talent. In 2011, I founded The Convoy Group to focus full-time on artist representation and management. It was the best move I ever made. From booking artists and organizing concerts to getting local talent into the national spotlight at events such as SXSW and CMJ, I live my passion as a promoter and professional photographer every day.
How would you describe the local music scene?
Houston could quite possibly be the most overlooked city in terms of music. Seattle, Nashville, New York, L.A., Austin. Then what? Maybe Chicago? Then who from Houston? Beyonce, Lyle Lovett, the late Lightnin' Hopkins and ZZ Top (give or take, of course). 178 years as one of America's biggest cities and that's all we've got? In fact, Houston currently has one of the most diverse collections of genres you could imagine.
You name it—indie rock, pop, country, Americana, hip hop and rap—and someone here is doing it well. We love our musical past, but as Houston bands continue to make headlines and tour nationally and internationally, we are very excited about our musical future.
What music venues would you recommend for groups visiting Houston?
Warehouse Live in the East End and Fitzgerald's in The Heights are great multipurpose spaces owned and operated by Houstonians.
MKT BAR has only been around a few years and is fantastic. I've been programming music and events there for the last couple of years, and routinely have lunch and dinner meetings there as well. Offering live music 5-6 days per week, with full food and drink menus, they do a great job of hosting the smallest to the largest in private and semi-private events. Centrally located downtown with a 250-plus person capacity, it’s also a lunch destination for corporate Houston. The vibe, service and food are all great. I'm biased, but it honestly is a "can't miss" destination downtown Houston.