Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Tobias Joeckel. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Joeckel launched into the arts and music scene in the 90s with the launch of Tobias Records. Because of his love for Jazz, he produced his first album with the Orlando-based band Horizons. Tobias’s first album, Jazz for Christmas, was released in 1994 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Jazz Album. The record label was followed by the start of Tobias Communications with four multi-episode videos with best-selling author Dr. Paul Maier. His top-selling documentary was shot over 30 days in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The documentary follows the journeys of the Apostle Paul in the first century A.D. Throughout Joeckel’s career, he has worked with local government, non-profits, and churches to produce city-wide festivals to highlight local artists and musicians and raise funds for local non-profits. His largest festivals include the Mardi Gras Family Fest on the Endymion parade route in New Orleans and the West Main Arts Festival in Arlington, which is preparing for its 9th year in the Fall of 2024. To keep up with the support of his work as a concert promoter and festival planner, he formed Tobias Events and works with individual artists and municipalities to produce concerts, festivals, and special events.
In 2014, Joeckel created and started the Mark Joeckel Show radio show. The drive-time program ran Monday – Friday from 3 pm-5 pm on 870 – KFJZ. The show featured guests from the arts, politics, and sports scene in DFW. Over 600 shows ran live and included performances by 100 local musicians and bands. During the production of the radio program, Joeckel was offered the position of General Manager of the Arlington Music Hall. In this position, Joeckel booked & produced over 125 live shows per year and the 740-seat venue. Joeckel was also responsible for marketing concerts and special events. That role ended with the start of COVID-19, and Joeckel began canceling shows in March 2020. Joeckel lost his job in June 2020 after canceling one year of shows.
After years of working with artists, musicians, and creators, Joeckel saw the need to support those in the creative field with training as a start-up business and a location to work and produce. In August 2020, Create Texas was started in Arlington, Texas. A 3000-sf location was acquired in Downtown Arlington, and a studio and workspace were created for artists and entrepreneurs to work and receive support starting their businesses. An art gallery was part of Create, and hundreds of local artists participated in gallery exhibits. Since the start of Create, Joeckel has worked with multiple cities and groups to start art events and is launching Create Epic Texas in Grand Prairie. This location at the EPIC includes a theater built on a layout patterned after the Kessler Theater in Dallas and features a recording studio and podcast/streaming suite. Several other cities in Texas are currently working with Joeckel to start Create in 2025.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating my journey hasn’t been without its share of challenges. From financial strains hindering production funding to the upheaval brought on by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve encountered numerous obstacles along the way.
One significant hurdle arose during the production of my inaugural documentary, spanning Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Despite meticulous planning, the budget exceeded projections, leading to the depletion of post-production funds during filming. Upon returning to the States, I found myself spearheading a campaign to secure additional funding for editing, duplication, and distribution. Despite the setback, I rallied support, successfully raising the necessary funds in a timely manner, albeit pushing back the product launch by a mere two months.
Throughout my career, creative conflicts have inevitably surfaced, as is often the case in collaborative endeavors. However, I’ve learned to navigate these challenges by prioritizing the perspectives and goals of the artists and musicians with whom I collaborate. Rather than solely pursuing my vision, I’ve cultivated a practice of active listening and collaboration, ensuring that my efforts consistently support the creative vision of those involved in each project.
While setbacks and conflicts have tested my resolve, they’ve never deterred me from pursuing my passion for supporting and championing creativity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From a young age, my fascination with music was ignited, thanks to the jazz albums passed down to me by my father. Miles Davis, Jerry Mulligan, Stan Kenton, Cannonball Adderley, and Dave Brubeck became my companions, shaping my musical palate and fueling my passion. While I didn’t progress to a professional level in my musical endeavors—I dabbled with the saxophone in high school, experimented with blues harp in college, and even embarked on a fledgling stand-up comedy career—my desire to immerse myself in “the scene” remained unwavering.
This drive led me down a diverse path, from managing sound systems to promoting shows and capturing moments through photography. What sets me apart, I believe, is my profound love for the arts and music, as well as a genuine admiration for their creators. My overarching goal has always been to empower creatives to harness their talents and transform them into sustainable careers. Facilitating individuals in pursuing their passions and establishing thriving businesses holds profound significance for me. It’s not just about the art itself; it’s about fostering a supportive ecosystem where artists can flourish and thrive, making a lasting impact on the world around them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.createtexas.art
- Instagram: @createtexas
- Facebook: Create Texas
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjoeckel1/
- Twitter: @Create Texas
- Youtube: Create Texas
Image Credits
Paul Knudson
