Bio : ATG Live
About ATG Live
ATG Live is a leading independent partner in the live music industry, prioritizing the creative vision of iconic artists while delivering memorable experiences for audiences in landmark theatres across the United States. The live music and events division of ATG Entertainment partners with artists, promoters and other industry leaders to host 500+ concerts, comedy and cultural events annually, selling over 1 million tickets across 16 venues nationwide under the leadership of Senior Vice President Erik Newson. ATG has brought artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Ed Sheeran, LCD Soundsystem, Robert Plant, and many more to historic landmarks from The Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, CA and Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA to Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY and beyond.
Erik Newson – Senior Vice President of Programming for ATG Live
Erik has over 30 years of experience across artist management, global touring, talent buying, and event production. He has led worldwide tours for major artists across genres and built longstanding relationships with top promoters, venues, and agencies including WME, CAA, UTA, The Team (formerly Wasserman), and ROAM.
He is widely recognized for his early role in helping bring EDM from underground culture to the global mainstream through festival and touring strategy.
Erik currently serves as Senior Vice President of Programming at ATG Live, where he oversees programming strategy, market expansion, and key partnerships across the company’s U.S. venue portfolio.
Kevin Couch – VP of programming for ATG Live
Kevin Couch is the Vice President of Programming, overseeing live music, comedy, and special events across venues in San Antonio, Tulsa, and Little Rock.
He started his career as a touring musician, performing on national tours including the Vans Warped Tour, before moving into artist management. He has managed several touring acts, including Color Me Badd, leading everything from booking to business operations.
He later founded CBC Creative, a Dallas-based branding agency that grew into an award-winning firm before being sold in 2022. He now brings that mix of artist, brand, and business experience to his role at ATG.
Jenn Sonick – Director of Programming
Jenn Sonick is the Director of Programming at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre and Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre, part of Ambassador Theatre Group. She brings over a decade of experience across talent buying, marketing, and artist relations.
Jenn got her start in Colorado, working with Madison House, Z2 Entertainment, and later AEG Presents, where she supported senior leadership on talent and programming.
At Kings Theatre, she works closely with agents and promoters to build a dynamic calendar, bringing artists like Ed Sheeran, Bob Dylan, Kid Cudi, Patti LaBelle, and The Flaming Lips to the stage, along with unique live and cultural events.
Mark C. Austin – Director of Programming
Mark C. Austin is the Director of Programming at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, part of Ambassador Theatre Group, with over 20 years of experience across Texas’ live music scene.
He began his career as a music photographer, with work featured in Rolling Stone, SPIN, Paste, and Village Voice, before moving into talent buying and artist management. He later founded The Convoy Group, producing events for brands including Sony, Red Bull, the NFL, and SXSW.
Mark also played a role in Super Bowl LI’s Super Bowl Live programming and has been deeply involved in supporting Houston’s music community through leadership roles and local initiatives.
Ryan Bensinger – Director of Programming
Ryan Bensinger is the Director of Programming at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, bringing nearly two decades of experience across the live music industry.
Ryan began his career working with independent concert promoters in the club and theatre scene in Pittsburgh, PA, before moving into arena management in San Antonio. He later joined AEG Presents as a traveling promoter representative, gaining national touring experience across a wide range of artists and markets. In 2018, Ryan transitioned into venue-based talent buying, holding roles at Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, FL and Hershey Theatre in Hershey, PA.
Throughout his career, Ryan has built strong, long-standing relationships with promoters, venues, and artists across the country, supporting the development of diverse and successful programming strategies.
Scott Simoneaux – Director of Programming
Scott Simoneaux brings over a decade of experience across talent buying, marketing, and venue development within the live music industry. Originally from New Orleans, he began his career working across booking, publicity, and marketing through his company Infectious, building a strong foundation in artist development and show curation.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Scott relocated to Los Angeles, where he expanded into music curation and independent media through partnerships with Justin Gage, including work with Aquarium Drunkard and Autumn Tone Records. He remained closely connected to New Orleans during this time, continuing to book shows at One Eyed Jacks.
In Los Angeles, Scott was part of the founding team behind Teragram Ballroom ahead of its 2015 opening and has since played a key role in the growth of several of the city’s most respected venues, including Moroccan Lounge and The Bellwether. His work is rooted in a deep commitment to artist-driven programming and creating meaningful live music experiences.
Yoni Goldstein – Programming Assistant
Yehonathan “Yoni” Goldstein brings over two decades of experience across live entertainment, venue operations, and project management to his role as Programming Coordinator at ATG Live. He has managed box office systems and major on-sales for venues including the Fox Theatre in Boulder and the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, and has supported global touring logistics for artists and teams through his work at Madison House Travel.
Yoni’s background also includes leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes consulting environments, delivering complex projects across industries including AI/ML. Combining operational expertise with a passion for live entertainment, he plays a key role in supporting ATG’s programming team and delivering exceptional experiences for fans across North America.