2009 Dove Award Predictions
The editor takes his yearly stab at predicting the nominees for the 2009 GMA Music (Dove) Awards. It looks to be a pretty predictable and ho-hum year according to Chris. Is he thinking clearly this year, or is he totally off his rocker? We’ll let you be the judge! Check out who he thinks will have the best year at the upcoming Dove Awards. Nominees will be announced on February 20, 2009, and the awards program will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2009 in Nashville, TN.
2009 GMA Award (Dove Award) Predictions
SONG OF THE YEAR |
*NOTE - Song of the Year goes to the SONGWRITER, not the ARTIST. Artists are listed for easier recognition of songs.
Most Likely to be Nominated:
"Call My Name" - Third Day
"Give Me Your Eyes" - Brandon Heath
"I Will Not Be Moved" - Natalie Grant
"Jesus Messiah" - Chris Tomlin
"Mighty to Save" - Laura Story
"Slow Fade" - Casting Crowns
"There Will Be a Day" - Jeremy Camp
"You Reign" - MercyMe
"Yours" - Steven Curtis Chapman
Other Possibilities: "You Are Everything" (Matthew West), "Revelation" (Third Day), "Our Hope Endures" (Natalie Grant), "I Will Rise" (Chris Tomlin), "Welcome to the Family" (Booth Brothers), "A New Hallelujah" (Michael W. Smith), "What Life Would Be Like" (Big Daddy Weave), "Never Let Go" (David Crowder Band), "God of This City" (Chris Tomlin), "Love Is Here" (Tenth Avenue North), "Washed By the Water" (Needtobreathe), "New Day" (Robbie Seay Band), "Lose My Soul" (tobyMac), "This Is Home" (Switchfoot)
Who Should Be Nominated? "Britney" (Bebo Norman), "Love Is Not a Fight" (Warren Barfield), "Count Me In" (Leeland), "Here I Am" (Downhere), "Feels Like Redemption" (Michael English)
Commentary - Another year, same faces, same predictions. Perennial favorites show up here (Camp, Casting Crowns, MercyMe). I've also included the usual worship favorite ("Mighty to Save") and sentimental favorite (Chapman). Heath is a clear favorite here from radio's standpoint - but the award will more than likely land with either Crowns or Chapman. |
ARTIST OF THE YEAR |
Most Likely to be Nominated:
Casting Crowns
Chris Tomlin
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Kirk Franklin
Natalie Grant
Steven Curtis Chapman
Third Day
Other Possibilities: Brandon Heath, Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, MercyMe, Michael W. Smith, Booth Brothers, Gaither Vocal Band, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, CeCe Winans
Who Should Be Nominated? Matthew West, Family Force 5, Jon Foreman/Switchfoot, Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary - The problem here is that their are now 7 nominees in these categories - and because of that - the nominee base becomes broader and there are always a couple of nominees from other genres other than the core base here. Because of that - Franklin and Sig. Sound show up. I'm predicting Chapman shows up over Heath - just for sentimental purposes and his recent work with CompassionArt - though Heath is defintiely the more deserving. |
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR |
Most Likely to be Nominated:
Brandon Heath
Chris Tomlin
Mac Powell (Third Day)
Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)
Marvin Sapp
Ronnie Booth (Booth Brothers)
Steven Curtis Chapman
Other Possibilities: Matthew West, Bart Millard (MercyMe), tobyMac, David Crowder, Lincoln Brewster, Michael W. Smith, Shawn McDonald, Jon Foreman, Bebo Norman
Who Should Be Nominated? Jon Foreman, Phil Wickham, Mike Bowling (Mike & Kelly Bowling), Matthew West, Mark Martel/Jason Germain (Downhere), Michael English, Warren Barfield, Andrew Peterson
Commentary - Again - instead of making it easier - it's just plain harder to pick 7 nominees when two or three usually end up out of left field. The Booth Brothers are the reigning "it" group in Southern Gospel - so it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see Ronnie show up here. Powell, Hall, and Tomlin are perennial favorites. Chapman (again) shows up for sentimental reasons. Heath is the real true winner of this award - but Tomlin will probably take it again. Wouldn't it be great to see Michael English show back up in this category after so many years gone? |
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR |
Most Likely to be Nominated:
CeCe Winans
Francesca Battistelli
Kierra Sheard
Krystal Meyers
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Nicole C. Mullen
Other Possibilities: Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River), Meredith Andrews, Sara Groves, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Jordin Sparks
Who Should Be Nominated? Cindy Morgan, Kelly Bowling (Mike & Kelly Bowling), Sara Groves
Commentary - Another weak year for the ladies unless your name is Natalie Grant. Last year, this category didn't end up near as diverse as Male Vocalist, Group, and Artist - so I'm predicting that a Southern Gospel artist does NOT end up here. Natalie should have no problem winning this one again. |
GROUP OF THE YEAR |
Most Likely to be Nominated:
Booth Brothers
Casting Crowns
David Crowder Band
Mary Mary
MercyMe
Sanctus Real
Third Day
Other Possibilities: Switchfoot, Building 429, Leeland, The Afters, Needtobreathe, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, BarlowGirl, Tenth Avenue North, Rush of Fools, Karen Peck & New River, Stellar Kart
Who Should Be Nominated? Downhere, Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson, Mike & Kelly Bowling, 33Miles
Commentary - For the most part - this category is very predictable. Booth Brothers and Mary Mary could easily be switched out with any of hte "Other Possibilities" choices. The other 5 are pretty safe... |
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR |
Most Likely to be Nominated:
Chris Sligh
Francesca Battistelli
Laura Story
Matt Maher
Meredith Andrews
Remedy Drive
Tenth Avenue North
Other Possibilities: Abandon, Philmont, Above the Golden State, After Edmund, Jordin Sparks, Addison Road, Phil Stacey, Mike & Kelly Bowling, The Murrills, 21:03
Who Should Be Nominated? John Waller, After Edmund, Corey Crowder, Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary - Other than Battistelli, Sligh, and Tenth Avenue North, I had a hard time deciding on who the other 4 would be. Story, Maher, and Andrews all had decent enough radio support and are on big labels - so they shouldn't have any problem appearing here. Remedy Drive was just a guess and could easily be replaced by Addison Road, Jordin Sparks, or Above the Golden State. This award is Tenth Avenue North's to lose. |
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