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SGNScoops shines DJ Spotlight on Jason Dyess of WMER 

DJ Spotlight on Jason Dyess of WMER

By Vonda Armstrong

WMER AM 1390 and FM 91.3 is a radio station broadcasting from Meridian, Mississippi. The station airs gospel music, weather, news and community programs. In Meridian, you will love the sights and sounds of the city from the country music history and railroad heritage, to musical performances and outdoor activities. But, in the afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., the town of Meridian is tuned in to Jason Dyess and his gospel program. This month we are shining the DJ Spotlight on Jason. Join me as we get to know Jason and his ministry better. 

Vonda Armstrong: At what age did you know that you would like to work in radio? Please give us your current radio position and station information. 

Jason Dyess: That’s tough to nail an exact age. I’ve always loved music of all types. I can remember making mix tapes from old cassettes and radio. I’ve always dreamed of doing talk radio from current events to sports talk radio. It took me losing my job last year to finally get my chance with a Southern gospel radio station with music I was raised on. I now manage WMER 93.1FM/1390AM which is a Southern gospel music radio station in Meridian, Miss. I also have a talk show once a week entitled “Good News Meridian,” where I bring in government leaders, civic leaders, pastors and other guests, so we can spotlight positive things going on in the city and area we cover. It seems people are tired of hearing negative news, and this is an opportunity for listeners to hear some positive news to go along with our good news gospel music. 

Vonda: If you could interview any person alive, who would that be and why? 

Jason: When I first read this question, three people came to mind. Pastor Jentezen Franklin, John Maxwell and President George W. Bush, because they all have so much information that I love learning from. I love to listen to Pastor Franklin; he’s an awesome pastor and I admire him. Being an ordained minister myself, I have so many questions. 

Then there’s John Maxwell, with all of his leadership and management advice he gives. I learn so much from him and I think it’s because of his past pastoral background. Thirdly, President George W. Bush because of the way he led this nation while still being a family man. I even gained more respect watching the way he led his family in grieving with the passing of his father in the public eye last year. I really cannot narrow this down to one. 

Vonda: Please share your testimony. 

Jason: At a young age, my mawmaw Jet and my parents always said I was going to be a preacher or politician. For a while as an adult, I ran from God’s calling on my life. In July 2002, the Lord really grabbed a hold of my life. In April 2006, I finally surrounded to the Lord’s calling in my life, and began the process of ministry schooling, becoming an ordained Assemblies of God minister in May 2017. I’ve been hoping to pastor a church. I have been bi-vocational by serving on ministry staff and a regular job in the past. The company I had worked at for 18 years left Meridian last year. We had opportunities to leave this area, but I felt the Lord was not done with me in my hometown. As a family, we felt this was the time to pastor a church. Although those doors didn’t open, the radio station did and now gives me a bigger platform to share God’s word. My heart is to still serve and help people to get to know God on a more personal way. So my prayer now is that the Lord will use and guide me with the plan he has for me, and not what I feel is my own plan. 

Vonda: Please tell us about your family. 

Jason: My wife, Dawn and I began dating in January of our sophomore year of high school. Everyone in high school said that we were going to get married, and I proudly say I married my high school sweetheart. We’ve been married for almost 22 years. I almost lost my wife and daughter Katelyn during Katelyn’s birth. Now, 16 years later, both Dawn and Katelyn are healthy. Dawn works for Mississippi State – Meridian campus, and Katelyn is 16 years old and is a junior in high school. 

Vonda: When you are not behind a mic, what do you enjoy doing ? 

Jason: When not behind the mic, I enjoy doing photography. I do freelance sports photography for newspapers, colleges and other media outlets. I also love opportunities to preach and visit other communities when being able to share God’s Word. I also love deer hunting when the season is open. We are all big Mississippi State fans and we have season tickets to football and women’s basketball. When not traveling to Bulldog events, we love traveling to NASCAR races, the Smoky Mountains and Gulf Shores, Alabama. Family is important to me, so any time all of our family can come together is important to me. 

Vonda Armstrong

Thank you Jason Dyess for giving us a glimpse into your life of radio and ministry. When you are  in Meridian, tune into WMER AM 1390 and FM 91.3 between 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., to catch Jason playing great Southern gospel music.

By Vonda Armstrong

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in August 2019

Read the latest Gospel Music News in 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

Dixie Melody Boys Announce Aaron Dishman As New Baritone And Piano Player

The Dixie Melody Boys have announced the addition of Aaron Dishman to the legendary group as their new baritone and piano player. The group announced last month that Steven Cooper would be stepping down due to vocal issues but will stay on as their bass guitar player. “Aaron had filled with us in a few years ago at piano. We fell in love with his spirit. When this came open, we knew he would be a great fit.” Said Ed O’Neal. Aaron Dishman is 26 and lives in Mississippi with his wife Erica. “We are excited to have Aaron join us. When he came to audition and sat down at the piano to sing us a song, you could feel God’s spirit. He will add so much to our concerts and I know the fans will love him. ” stated Matt Felts. Aaron will join the group in time to appear at the Memphis Quartet Show in June.
The Dixie Melody Boys were voted favorite Male Quartet for the second year in a row at last months Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards. They are currently accepting applications for the lead singer position. They will be back in the studio with Aaron and the soon coming lead singer to finish their sophomore album with Song Garden Music Group.