Dove Awards 2008

Tonight is the biggest night in Christian music. Since my wife works in the industry and I am a fan, I thought I would run down some of the main categories in this year's Dove Awards and make some predictions. These predictions are of course based on months of logical scientific research conducted by third party unbiased consulting firms that calculated a prediction based on a 15th century philosopher's equation named Rambaldi. OR...its just a SWAG. Either way, here you go.

Song of the Year
-Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
-Bring the Rain
-East to West
-Give you Glory
-How You Live
-I'm Not Who I Was
-In Better Hands
-Made To Love
-Tears of the Saints
-Undo

The way I see it, Tears of the Saints and Amazing Grace are going to go head to head on this one. But two questions loom here: Will the GMA give the BIG award to a young band straight out of the gate? or is writing one chorus to a century old song good enough to garner a Song of the Year title? GMA members are probably hard pressed to decide which question they answer "yes" to. If they go with neither, look for East to West to be the underdog and take it. However, my sentiments are that even though it was just a chorus, Chris Tomlin's emotional addition to Amazing Grace will best the competition.

Songwriter of the Year
-Mark Hall
-Brandon Heath
-Bernie Herms
-Leeland Mooring
-Cindy Morgan

Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year winners tend to go together to the same artist (i.e., Chris Tomlin and How Great is Our God, Bart Millard and I Can Only Imagine, Mark Hall and Who Am I). But there is no way the GMA could nominate Tomlin for only writing a chorus in this category. So look for Mark Hall or Leeland Mooring to take this category and I am giving the slight edge to Leeland. But one thing is for sure, whoever wins this category has their chances skyrocket to win Song of the Year and upset Tomlin.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Tomlin
Gerald Wolfe
Jon Foreman
Mark Hall
Mark Schultz
Marvin Sapp
tobyMac

Is it just me or is everyone rooting for toby here? Unfortunately, the GMA is not going to give a "vocalist" award to someone that doesn't sing a majority of a song. That brings us back to the Tomlin vs. Hall debate once more. Given that Hall has been nominated in all three categories so far, he gets the win here. But let me just say for the record, that group front men should NOT be allowed to be nominated for these individual vocalists categories. If they are part of a group, then they should only be able to be nominated with the group. PERIOD.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Grant
Christy Nockels
Darlene Zschech
Krystal Meyers
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Sandi Patty

Amy did release a greatest hits and jump labels for the first time in 30 years and Sandi had her own comeback party with a new album in 2007 too. But these stalwarts aren't big contenders this year. Christy Nockels retired last year so that may give her a boost. Mandisa didn't sell enough to win here. So look for the reigning queen to reign once more and Natalie should accept the prize for the 3rd year running (?) 4th year running (?) I can't keep track. But kudos to Krystal Meyers for getting a nomination here. Well deserved.

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
David Crowder Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Hillsong United
Point Of Grace
Selah
The Clark Sisters

Crowder should win this category with one of the most electric albums of the year. But alas, the dude that was nominated in the Male Vocalist category will also win here only he has 7 other people standing beside him. Do you see how this isn't fair people?!?!?! OK, I am getting down of my soapbox now.

New Artist of the Year
33 Miles
Austins Bridge
Brandon Heath
DeWayne Woods
Group 1 Crew
Mandisa
Rush Of Fools

Rush Of Fools had the biggest hit of 2007 so that might send them the edge. However, I think Brandon Heath's songwriting abilities and cool, coffeehouse vibe gives him the edge here with the voters. After all, these are the same people that gave this award to The Afters...and where are they now? I think the GMA will take a year off from giving it to a band when they don't know if they will be around this time next year.

Producer of the Year
Bernie Herms
Ed Cash
Ian Eskelin
Israel Houghton
Nathan Nockels

Here is where Bernie gets his prize. Too many "artists" are competing for other categories he is nominated in. He wins here. Of course, 98.4273% of all artists work with Ed. He could be the darkhorse even though he has won for the past two years.

Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
Chris Tomlin
Natalie Grant
Point Of Grace
Skillet
The Clark Sisters
tobyMac

If toby has a chance in any of the big categories, its here. I mean, come on, there is truly not an "artist" listed here that can compete. Again, if everything starts going Mark Hall's way, look for C.C. to upset. But toby's Portable Sounds outsold everyone here and the GMA can't ignore that.

Well there you have it. If you don't have tickets, you can always watch the broadcast live on Gospel Music Channel tonight. Tune in to see just how wrong yours truly really is!