Dove Awards - Initial Reactions Dove Awards - 2008 Backstage Live Blogging 3:45 p.m. OK - so I’m sitting here - backstage at the Dove Awards in the press room with a full tummy. TRu and I went to eat before hand - so now we’re just sitting around waiting for the show to start. Pretty boring for the most part. Our Hip Hop/Hard Music Editor Jeff Relyea decided to join us tonight. This is his first Dove Awards experience - so it will be interesting to get his take this year as well. It’s a bit toasty in here. Hopefully they can remedy this situation soon. I’m a little upset that my air card isn’t working. I managed to find a random network to hook up to and am connected. Hopefully this keeps going all night - or my air card will start working properly. TRu saved the day and found the download link for the software on my aircard. If this works - then I owe him another dinner. If it doesn’t work than I’m not talking to him for at least 15 seconds. 4:31 p.m. The pre-show is starting… Nazareth something or another is hosting the pre-show and it sounded like he just called “God Tube” something like “godstooth.” This guy’s actually kind of funny. 4:41 p.m. Looks like I owe TRu another dinner. It worked and I’m up and running now on my air card. I missed two categories in the process. I mis-predicted Choral Collection and Recorded Music Packaging. 0/2 Musical of the Year - Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone. Got that right. 1/3 Ontisha and the lead singer of Demon Hunter are announcing the next winners. Weird combo. Rock Recorded Song - I predicted Red by Skillet won for “Comatose.” Red is much hotter right now - I’m shocked about this one. 1/4 Inspirational Recorded Song - “By His Wounds” wins it. I correctly predicted this - but I think “God Speaking” is a much stronger song. 1/5 Lari Goss (producer extraordinaire) just came backstage to take some questions. *Sidenote - I finally saw “The Pimp” and he’s sitting right behind me. Fun times for all. I can’t tell what’s going on on the stage right now. Technical difficulties I think going on on stage. Steven Curtis Chapman is on the stage talking about the Amazing Grace - not sure exactly what’s going on. Apparently he just wanted to tell people to see the movie. OK. Fee and David Nasser are presenting some awards. Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song - T-Bone - “Name Droppin”. I’m shocked - KJ-52 has owned this award the last few years. 1/6 Bluegrass Recorded Song - “He’s In Control” - Austins Bridge. I thought Lewis Family would take this. 1/7 Southern Gospel Recorded Song - “Get Away Jordan” - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. I figured Hoppers would win it with the Word Records backing. It’s ok version - but I prefer the Dove Brothers’ version. 1/8 Tenth Avenue North is performing “Love Is Here” now. I like this song a lot - but it took a while to grow on me. I enjoy their album - TRu just said I’ve told him that like a hundred times already. Apparently I REALLY like it. No seriously - check out the album out May 20th. Just checked my Facebook. I hate that place. This host really is funny. He’s probably the best host of the pre-show of the last few years. Warren Barfield, JoAnn Rosario and Shirley Murdock are presenting the next awards. I like Warren Barfield. You should too. Spanish Language Album of the Year - Seth Condrey. 1/9 Jeff says, “Wait a minute - he’s not hispanic.” Man, the predictions aren’t going well tonight. Long Form Music Video - Jeff is kicking my butts on the predictions. It went to Audio Adrenaline for Live From Hawaii. 1/10 Special Event Project - Everyone’s getting a real kick out of this category because they have to read all of the nominees in each category - and their are a lot of them. Winner is Glory Revealed. YAY - I got another one right. 2/11 Jeff Taylor and Needtobreathe are out to accept the next few awards. I don’t have a clue who Jeff Taylor is. Country Album of the Year - The Isaacs win, but I predicted Alabama. Congrats to the Isaacs for a fantastic album. 2/12 Skillet is back here now. Funny guys. Contemporary Gospel Song - I predicted The Clark Sisters - but of course I got it wrong. It went to Israel & New Breed for “Say So.” 2/13 “The Pimp” is asking about Skillet’s fashion sense. Awesome. Worship Song of the Year - “How Great Is Our God.” Awesome for awarding a three year old song. 3/14 Pop/Contemporary Song - This is often a tell of will win Song of the Year because so many of these nominations are also nominated for this category. And the winner is “East to West” by Casting Crowns. I’m not much of a fan of this song - but it seems to be resonating with a lot of people - so good for them. 4/15 John Cooper really is exceptionally funny. They explain the story behind “The Last Night” and how it is impacting people. New Harvest is performing on stage now. I’m not sure who they are. I don’t think New Harvest is ever gonna stop singing. And there they have. pureNRG and The Rubyz are now presenting some awards. Mac Powell and David Nasser are backstage now. Children’s Music Album - Veggie Tales. I should have known that. 4/16 I’m tired of sitting already. Youth/Children’s Musical - Praise Rocks. Whatever. I’m stinking at the predictions this year. 4/17 Mac Powell just announced that there will be a new Glory Revealed project recorded later this year. Christmas Album - Michael W. Smith. Great record - so I’m not upset about that. I also correctly predicted it. 5/18 They are moving quickly through these awards - so that’s always nice. Praise & Worship Album - David Crowder Band for Remedy. Excellent record. Excellent win. 6/19 Steven Curtis Chapman just joined the guys back here. He accepted an award that he didn’t win on accident. Very funny. Apparently I missed Instrumental Album - which went to the Amazing Grace soundtrack. I predicted Ben Tankard. 6/20 Jonathan Butler, Paul Colman, and some other Latin music recording artist are out now presenting some awards. Urban Recorded Song - I figured this was a two way battle between Trin-i-tee 5:7 and J Moss. T57 won for “Listen”. 6/21 Inspirational Album - Mark Lowry won this one. I figured Sandi Patty would win this one - she usually does. 6/22 Tenth Avenue North are now backstage. I like their album in case I haven’t already told you. “The Pimp” is really keeping quiet tonight. I miss his questions. Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song - “Everything Glorious” by the David Crowder Band. Another excellent winner. That’s three wins for them. I predicted Needtobreathe’s “Signature of Divine”. 6/23 “The Pimp” is now talking. I’m loving it. Phil Joel and Go Fish are now on stage presenting some awards. Both of those artists put out children’s albums this year. Traditional Gospel Recorded Song - “Ready for a Miracle” by LeAnn Rimes. Isn’t she a country artist? Yeah - that’s what I thought. 6/24 Country Recorded Song - Point of Grace for “How You Live.” Fantastic song and great performance. 7/25 Veggie Tales guys are back now. I love their videos. Rap/Hip Hop Album - Group 1 Crew wins it. KJ-52 loses his second of the evening. Good job GMA, even though I’m not doing too well at predicting. 7/26 Rock Album - I’m expecting Audio Adrenaline to win this because it was their final album - but Disciple won. Another excellent pick from GMA. 7/27 Phil Wickham is performing “True Love” with his brother. I wish I didn’t have to listen to this through this bad headphones. There’s a lot of feedback. Michael W. Smith is backstage right now. He has two new short-films coming out called C2. Mike & Kelly Bowling and someone else is presenting some awards right now. If you’re a fan of country music - you should check out Mike & Kelly Bowling. Great singers. Rock/Contemporary Album - Portable Sounds - TobyMac. Should have gone to Switchfoot. I can’t applaud you for that one GMA. No praise from me. 7/28 Urban Album - T57. Two for them. Way to go ladies. 8/29 Mark Lowry and his producer are back here now. He just told Sandi Patty to “take that” since he beat her in this category. Very funny. Leeland is presenting some awards now. Definitely a buzz band again this year. Bluegrass Album - Ricky Skaggs wins this one. 9/30 It’s already 6:05 - they need to pick up the pace now. Traditional Gospel Album - Lillie Knauls wins this one. Another right prediction - one of the few. 10/31 Mark Lowry is talking quite a bit. I won a Lowry tour jacket in 1996. My cat peed on it. I never wore it again. Producer of the Year - Ed Cash always wins this one - but this year it went to Ian Eskelin. Nice way to change it up GMA. Eskelin is a fantastic songwriter. 10/32 Group 1 Crew is now backstage. They are very green to this kind of thing. Potty break time. I left and Nazareth was doing stand up. I’m back and he’s STILL going. He’s funny. John Reuben and BarlowGirl come out to present some awards, while Jonathan Butler is backstage. Pop/Contemporary Album - Winner is Casting Crowns. Boring. 11/33 Southern Gospel Album - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. They’re hot right now. Makes sense. 11/34 Now they’re racing through these awards because they’re running behind. Songwriter of the Year - CINDY MORGAN!!! This is an award that she should have been winning years ago. It’s about time! 12/35 The Pre-Show is now over and Ian Eskelin is back stage. 6:26 p.m. I’m going to eat my deli wraps now. Yum. Disciple just came backstage and I dropped mayonnaise all over my cool jeans. What the heck… Surfing the web… Still surfing the web… Bored… T-Bone and Mark Stuart (Audio Adrenaline) are backstage now. No offense to the T-Bone fans - but man he’s the most annoying person when he comes backstage. Reading the Dove Awards book… Great...now I have “The Pimp” AND T-Bone going at the same time. It’s like major sensory overload. Yes - he’s rapping… Cindy Morgan is backstage now. She seems to be getting a good response from the media after winning Songwriter of the Year. She dedicated her award tonight to her father who passed away several years ago. Apparently “How You Live” was originally pitched and recorded by a country artist, put Point of Grace was the one who got the song first and released it. 6:55 p.m. More waiting for the live show. TRu just did a very impressive T-Bone impersonation while Ricky Skaggs and The Whites walk on. Nice. Live show is starting - 33Miles is kicking off the New Artist segment. Audio just went out..and its back in time for Mandisa to sing “Only the World.” DeWayne Woods is singing “Let Go” accapella. He’s a fantastic vocalist. Group 1 Crew performs “Can’t Go On” and Brandon Heath does “I’m Not Who I Was”. Rush of Fools hits up “Undo” and the harmony vocal started off way off pitch. Austins Bridge didn’t perform. Weird. The intro looks really good for the live show. Jeremy Camp and Aaron Shust are out making a joke about short acceptance speeches. Not really all that funny. New Artist of the Year - Brandon Heath. I’m very excited he won this - but I thought for sure Mandisa had this one in the bag. I got his new CD but I haven’t had a chance to listen. 13/36 We’re on our first commercial break. I’m sure this will be the first of MANY. Nazareth is backstage now. He is very funny. The Isaacs are backstage now - and the live show has started back up with Matthew West and someone else. They just interviewed Brandon Heath after winning New Artist and introduced Natalie Grant as the next performer. Wynonna just joined her on stage. Wynonna can SANG. I think she’s wearing a tiara. Skillet and some other Latino show host is out now to present Male Vocalist of the Year. Male Vocalist of the Year - Chris Tomlin. Wow, that’s a shock. /end sarcasm 14/37 Chris Tomlin totally just embarrassed himself on national tv. Very funny. Trin-i-tee 5:7 is performing - in a style called zydeco. It’s a pretty elaborate production for the Doves. I’m digging it. It’s a pretty hot performance. Way to steal the show T57. Short-Form Video - they’re showing the video of all the nominees. That’s pretty cool. Wynonna is backstage now - talking about singing to the unchurched and not wanting to be categorized. No plans at this point to record a Gospel album - she just wants to be herself. Nice Wynonna. I’m lovin’ it. Mark Schultz and Brian Free (of Brian Free & Assurance) are out to present the next award. Female Vocalist of the Year - I have Natalie Grant predicted here. And she wins it. Love her. 15/38 I’m not doing bad on the major categories predictions. Casting Crowns is now performing “East to West.” I think we all know how I feel about that song. Commercial break. Brandon Heath just came backstage. I’m so happy he won. He’s explaining the story behind the huge song “I’m Not Who I Was.” Kirk Franklin is out to introduce the performance from the Clark Sisters. They’re missing a sister. It’s interesting to hear the different between the Clark Sisters and Trin-i-tee 5:7 - both performed the snot out of their songs - just very differently. Brandon Heath is talking about bringing the industry closer - more of a tight-knit family - helping new artists and “competing to win souls, not sell records.” Jaci Velasquez and Donnie McClurkin are out to present Group of the Year. Group of the Year - Casting Crowns. *Yawn* 16/39 Chris Tomlin is out to introduce Compassionart. Martin Smith and Darlene Zscech talk about about artists using their art to help affect the world. Natalie Grant is backstage now. Wow - that’s a weird dress. Michael W. Smith, Israel Houghton, Paul Baloche, Christy Nockels, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Chris Tomlin are performing “So Great” from the Compassionart project. I’m not a huge fan of that song. Next commercial break. Marvin Sapp is out performing now. I don’t think Marvin Sapp opened his eyes the whole time he performed. That’s ok - cause he was blessing Jesus. Regina Bell and Bishop Paul S. Morton are presenting the next award. Regina Bell apparently sang “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. Contemporary Gospel Album - Israel & New Breed - A Deeper Level. Funny - I thought that was their weakest album yet. 16/40 Steven Curtis Chapman and Paul Baloche are back talking about Compassionart. There will be an album that will be a part of this movement as well. Comedian Anita Renfroe is in the audience right now doing a bit of a comedy and presenting the Radio Stations of the Year. David Crowder Band is on stage now to perform. Very cool concept to the song “Everything Glorious” as the band has people bring out and make the stage like a field full of flowers. Very nice. Next commercial break. Trin-i-tee 5:7 just came back stage. They gave a hot performance earlier. Gotta love “The Pimp.”
Steve Archer and Don Francisco are presenting the Hall of Fame Inductees - Phil Keaggy, Larnelle Harris, The Winans, and the Statler Brothers.
Next performer is Point of Grace with Cindy Morgan accompanying them on “How You Live (Turn Up the Music)”. Marvin Sapp just came back stage. He has the longest running #1 hit in the history of Gospel music. Song of the Year - “East to West” - Casting Crowns. Another major yawn. 17/41 Bishop Paul S. Morton is backstage right now - and Jon Foreman is walking around the floor singing. Now he’s on stage performing “This Is Home” with Switchfoot - which is from the new Prince Caspian soundtrack. They are showing clips of the movie behind the band. Can’t wait to see that movie. Commercial break… Israel Houghton just came backstage. I enjoy his music for the most part… Rob Beckley (Pillar), Krystal Meyers, and some other guy are presenting Short-Form Video of the Year. Short Form Video of the Year - “Boomin’” by Toby Mac. I’ve never seen the video. The only one of all the nominees that I’ve seen is “Awakening.” I liked that video. Speaking of Switchfoot - just caught them live for the first time - LOVED IT. Go see them live NOW. 17/42 Michael W. Smith is accompanying Amy Grant on a tribute to his 25 years in Christian music. Singing “Thy Word” now. Amy’s a bit pitchy. (I haven’t watched Idol in two weeks - so I have to get my Simon Cowell fix in somehow...) Mandisa, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey are now out to help honor MWS. Stacey is singing “Place In This World” - not sure I would’ve tackled that one. Regina Bell is now backstage. It’s a whole new world for her… Continuing to love “The Pimp.” Sligh is attempting “Secret Ambition”. Must be pretty cool to have Smitty accompany you on his own song. Now, Mandisa, Stacey, and Sligh are singing “Crown Him With Many Crowns” with Smith. Comedienne Anita Renfroe is now backstage. This tribute to Smitty is a nice moment - closing it out with “Agnus Dei”. Commercial break… Getting pretty bored here… Ben Uteck and Michael Junior are back now. Sandi Patty and Mark Lowry are presenting Artist of the Year. Artist of the Year - I predicted Toby Mac. And I got it right. This is Toby’s first win as Artist of the Year. 18/43 Steve Archer is here to present the last performance honoring Country and Gospel’s relationship. Ricky Skaggs & The Whites are performing “The Solid Rock.” Jeff & Sheri Easter, Karen Peck & New River, and The Hoppers are performing “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now”. Charlie Daniels with Mac Powell and The Isaacs to sing “I’ll Fly Away”. Leonardo is backstage. He apparently is a Latin Christian music artist. The live show is officially over - but we will have a myriad of artists who are coming back here to talk to the press - so my night isn’t really over yet. Switchfoot is now coming in the press room. Loved them live earlier this week. Man, I love “The Pimp.” I don’t think he even has a question. There may be a new Switchfoot record by the end of the year - just depends on how the recording process goes - should be a reflection of all five members of the band as opposed to one members thoughts and influences. I just found out that Carly got booted off Idol tonight - that stinks. I liked Carly. She could SANG. Mandisa, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey are backstage now talking about their performance with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. It got really loud outside of the press room. QUIET IT DOWN PEOPLE!!!!!!!! Toby Mac just came backstage with his box of Doves. New DVD out in May. Point of Grace is now backstage. They have a second-wind in their career now - thanks to the success of their latest album and its country flair. They are actually getting some good response at Country Radio with “How You Live (Turn Up the Music)”. Chris Tomlin is now backstage - followed by Casting Crowns. I think that’s it for my running commentary. It’s been a long week. Look for many new interviews and features from my time here at GMA Week - we got a chance to talk with all kinds of artists including Casting Crowns, CeCe Winans, Warren Barfield, Brandon Heath, Leeland, Sara Groves, Phil Wickham, Jaci Velasquez, and many more! Reader Comments
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