Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

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