Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Rob Patz: New season, new vision

New season, new vision, new horizons

Publisher’s Point by Rob Patz for SGNScoops Magazine May 2019

I have always said I love this time of year. Everything is new. Flowers are blooming and the sun is out and the grass is growing. So it was fitting for me to make my latest announcement during this time of year. If you haven’t read it yet, I’m going to give you a brief synopsis with some of the story behind it.

Rob Patz of Coastal Media

As many of you know who follow me on social media I am blessed with the opportunity to be able to travel quite often. In fact, over the last two years I have averaged 115 days on the road and during that time I’ve met so many wonderful people and so many new artists I’m excited about where this industry is going.

Lou and Howard Hildreth join the Creekside Gospel Music Convention choir in 2012

This story all begins eight years ago when we launched an event called Creekside. We believed it was going to be a place not only for the Diamond Awards but a place to highlight many of your favorite artists. We learned during that time that there were many new artists coming along that you, our readers, needed to know about, and that helped shape our focus here at the magazine.

I’m excited to tell you that over the next two years, our company will be launching convention-style events in 12 states. It will be a large undertaking, one that cannot be done by just a few people. I’m excited to say God has assembled a great team of people. Do we have everybody we need? No, but we have the core.

May 2019 SGNScoops Magazine

Four years ago God gave me this vision and at the time I didn’t see how it could ever be accomplished. In fact, I talked about it a lot and then, like most of us do, I parked what I believe was my idea. God kept reminding me of it and early this year, during a time of prayer, God clearly told me I needed to move.

I believe we are at an exciting time in our industry as we watch new growth with new artists. I truly believe that growth will happen at the grassroots; at the church down the street, at the high school in the next town over. I believe that as you read this if you are an artist, you’re part of this movement. If you are a fan, you’re part of this movement. if you’re a pastor who loves this music, you’re a part of this movement. I need you, I need your help, whether that is through prayer or through volunteer help. I need you. I can’t do this move without you.

Gospel Music Expo acquired by Coastal Media

If you didn’t get a chance to read the press release, another exciting part of this is the acquisition of the Gospel Music Expo in Tupelo, Mississippi. I want you to be a part of this event, next year in April. It’s going to be incredible and we are excited to be able to offer this event to our family.

As you read this, I ask that you will pray for me and my entire staff as we move forward.

Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2019

Come be a part of the event that started all of this, Creekside 2019, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, October 27 through October 31. For more information, call me at 360-933-0741.

Read the May SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE

Gospel Music Expo all about friendship

New Ground

The Gospel Music Expo has been an annual event in Mississippi for some time. Recently, it has been run by good friends and gospel music artists, Southern Image and New Ground.

“Gospel Music Expo has been an important concert series for 20 years in the Tupelo, Mississippi area. The event is held at the Barnes Crossing Mall the last full weekend of April each year. Over the past 20 years, 100 quartets/duets/trios/soloists from all around the nation have taken the stage at the Mall and shared their ministries to the masses. This event started in 1999 by local D.J. Jon Eric, and continued under his tutelage for three years. Then, friends New Ground, from Scottsboro, Alabama, and Southern Image, from Tupelo, Mississippi, came together to carry it another 17 years. We are excited to announce that Coastal Media from Seattle, Washington, under the leadership of Rob Patz, will be taking over this exciting event to carry it into the new decade with new and exciting events for the weekend. We look forward to supporting Rob in this event to continue to make this a success for upcoming GME events,” states Robbie Maxwell of New Ground.

Dale and Robbie Maxwell, founding members of New Ground, are still going strong in their belief that the Lord appointed this union to carry His Word thru music. They are joined by David Owens, who is celebrating 21 years with New Ground, and Mickey Bell, who has recently returned from his previous stint with the group, as the piano player. The group is from Scottsboro,  Ala., and can be found on Facebook HERE.

Southern Image Quartet

Buddy Tennison, of the Southern Image Quartet, says, “For 20 years, it has been our distinct honor and privelege to be involved, along with our best friends New Ground, with Gospel Music Expo in Tupelo. We have made many friends and associations, and treasure each of those. However, after much prayer and deliberation, we feel it is time to move on to other projects that we feel God has in store for us. We are pleased and excited that Rob Patz and SGNScoops has decided to assume Gospel Music Expo. We know from the various projects that they conduct each year, that they will continue and expand the traditions and tenents of GME and (we) look forward to any changes they may make. Southern Image and New Ground will still be participants in the great event, and encourage all our friends to continue with their participation as well. Again, we want to thank each of you for your faithfulness and look forward to seeing you at the future GME events.”

Southern Image is made up of Michi Guess, Shay Guess, Troy Cresap, and Buddy Tennison. They are a Southern gospel vocal band, featuring four-part harmony, from Tupelo. Known for their covers of classic gospel songs as well as current favorites, this group is centered on the ministry of traditional gospel. They can be found on Facebook HERE.

Both of these groups sang at the recent GME 2019, along with M.C. Dr. Buck Morton, and such artists asthe Masters Quartet, Joyful Noise, Charley Lucas, Chris Tucker, the Trailsmen Quartet, Day 3, Jessica Horton, and Still Standing Quartet, among others. Many of these artists have voiced their desire to return in 2020.

Rob Patz recently announced the acquisition of Gospel Music Expo by his company, Coastal Media. The next GME will be presented April 23 – 25, 2020.

“I know many of the artists that have been involved with Gospel Music Expo and especially appreciate the friendship of New Ground, as well as Southern Image,” says Patz. “These are fine people and I’m so glad to be associated with them. The way this transition occurred, the way the acquisition was orchestrated, was totally God. I am confident that we are following His lead. And I’m excited about all the new things He has in store for us!”

Rob Patz of Coastal Media

Gospel music fans and artists are encouraged to make their plans now to attend the Gospel Music Expo, April 23 – 25, 2020, in Tupelo, Mississippi, at the Barnes Crossing Mall. For more information, contact Rob Patz, at 360-933-0741, or visit the website at http://www.gospelmusicconvention.com.

Find Gospel Music Expo On Facebook HERE

Gospel Music Expo acquired by Coastal Media

Gospel Music Expo acquired by Coastal Media

Tupelo, Miss. (May 13, 2019) — Coastal Media is excited to announce the acquisition of the Gospel Music Expo, a long-standing Christian music event held annually in Tupelo, Mississippi, the birth place of Elvis Presley.

Rob Patz of Coastal Media

Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media, is also the owner of the popular Creekside Gospel Music Convention, held in Pigeon Forge at the end of October every year.

“I am thrilled to have to chance to carry on gospel music in Tupelo which is rich in gospel music tradition,” says Patz. “I believe in grassroots gospel – that everyone can reach their neighbor. That’s why I love the chance to present artists from around the country to the Tupelo audience, aided by volunteers from the area, prayed for by nearby churches, with local speakers and excellent music. I’m excited to bring the Creekside family experience to Tupelo, and I hope everyone in Mississippi will join us!”

Gospel Music Expo has long been an important concert series in the Tupelo area. Over the past 20 years, 100 quartets, duets, trios, and soloists from all around the nation have taken the stage at the Mall.

GMX started in 1999 by local D.J. Jon Eric, and continued under his tutelage for three years. Then friends New Ground, from Scottsboro, Ala., and Southern Image, from Tupelo, Miss., came together to carry it for another 17 years.

Coastal Media from Seattle, Wash., under the leadership of Rob Patz, will be taking over the event to carry it into the new decade.

“We look forward to supporting Rob in this event, to continue to make this a success for upcoming GMX events,” states Robbie Maxwell of New Ground.

Gospel music fans and artists are encouraged to make their plans now to attend the Gospel Music Expo, April 23 – 25, 2020, in Tupelo, Mississippi, at the Barnes Crossing Mall. For more information, contact Rob Patz, at 360-933-0741, or visit the website at http://www.gospelmusicconvention.com.

Find Gospel Music Expo On Facebook HERE