We continue our exclusive Round Table discussion of the 2009 GMA Dove Award Nominations. Don't miss Part 1 and Part 3 of this extensive feature article.

NRT will be reporting from GMA Music Week and the 2009 GMA Dove Awards, providing live updates via Twitter during the event and full write ups of the evening. For a complete list of the 2009 GMA Dove Award Nominations, click here. And make sure to comment at the end of this article about this year’s nominations and NRT Staff picks.

(Note that where “Who Should Win” and “Who Will Win” picks are the same, all contributor comments are found under “Who Will Win.”)

ROCK RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Bill Lurwick: RED - “Lost”
After a horrific van accident at the end of 2007 that left several members hospitalized with serious injuries, Red re-grouped into a foursome, and continued touring and putting on their incredible live show (you have to see it). They also continued to ride the success of their debut project End of Silence, which produced several Rock radio hits including the song that should win this award.

Andrew Funderburks: Stellar Kart – “Shine Like The Stars”
For me, being a big fan of Stellar Kart, “Shine Like the Stars” should win. They’ve shown a lot of mature growth over the past few years, and they’ve got a great message with their latest album, Expect the Impossible.

Who Will Win

Bill Lurwick: Pillar – “For the Love of the Game”
A song tailor made for sports highlights everywhere.

Kevin Davis: Pillar – “For the Love of the Game”
Great list of nominees. “Lost” by Red is from 2006 and “Better Man” by DecembeRadio is my fifth favorite song from Satisfied, which is impressive, but the wrong song for this category as I would have picked “Satisfy Me.” Pillar wrote a great song and anthem that is worthy of the award.

Andrew Funderburks: RED – “Lost”
Red has just exploded on the music scene in the past year.

FINAL VERDICT: Everyone likes an anthem, and Pillar seem to be the favorite this year.

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ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG

Who Should Win

Kevin Davis: DecembeRadio – “Find You Waiting”
Tough competition in this category and great choices. I’m amazed that there are no Third Day songs in this category. What about “Call My Name,” “Revelation” and “Run To You?” All incredible songs. “Find You Waiting” by DecembeRadio is one of the best songs on Satisfied and a great vertical worship song. However, “Unbreakable” by Fireflight is also worthy.

Logan Leisure: Fireflight – “Unbreakable”
Let’s face it. If you listened to their last release from beginning to end, this track is only one of the many that could be nominated in this category.

Andrew Funderburks: Fireflight – “Unbreakable”
This song has just taken me, and many other hard rock fans, by storm. The song just makes me believe, even more, that I am unbreakable with God on my side.

Who Will Win

Bill Lurwick: DecembeRadio – “Find You Waiting”
Satisfied was not a sophomore slump project for these guys. With a diverse collection of southern influenced styles of music combined into one release, DecembeRadio established themselves for the long run. Their supporting tour with Newsboys didn’t hurt either. “Find You Waiting” continued the success of the group that hails from Virginia.

Kevin Davis: The Afters - “Never Going Back To OK”
Having also been nominated for song of the year, a very catchy and upbeat rock song from the 2006 best new artist is the highlight of the album.

Logan Leisure: The Afters - “Never Going Back To OK”
Another deserving track, this song has seemed to be a favorite over the past year. The single was definitely a breakthrough, proving that The Afters are really a rock band after all.

Andrew Funderburks: Fireflight – “Unbreakable”
Fireflight has taken the rock stage by storm and secured themselves a spot of one of Christian music’s hardest working rock bands.

FINAL VERDICT: The Afters will be taking home the award for their short and tight song that gets stuck in everyone’s head.

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POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG

Who Should Win

Logan Leisure: Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath really impacted Christian music this year. “Give Me Your Eyes” is truly a deep, questioning song, not to mention its extra catchy chorus. While several others equally deserve this award as well, if I was the one choosing, Mr. Heath would be taking the prize.

Andrew Funderburks: Steven Curtis Chapman by “Cinderella”
Though not a father (although I’m hoping to be one someday) this song really ripped my heart. Even though I’m a teen, I see how I’ve grown up so quickly and life is flying by. Before I know it, I’ll be leaving my own house to start my own family, so this song has spoke to me that few songs have.

Who Will Win

Bill Lurwick: Brandon Heath – “Give Me Your Eyes”
If this song doesn’t win, there needs to be a serious investigation launched. Twenty plus weeks on the radio at number 1? Come on!

Kevin Davis: Francesca Battistelli – “I’m Letting Go”
Great choices and 4 of the 5 songs are also up for song of the year. Francesca’s “I’m Letting Go” is pretty much a perfect pop song and a great Christian counterpart to Grammy nominated “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles. If voters focus on “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman for song of the year, Francesca may grab the pop song of the year.

Logan Leisure: Steven Curtis Chapman by “Cinderella”
In light of the Chapman’s recent tragedy, the song has touched the lives of many and has left an everlasting imprint on Christian music as we know it.

Andrew Funderburks: Brandon Heath – “Give Me Your Eyes”
As much as I’d like to see “Cinderella” take this category, I don’t think it will. “Give Me Your Eyes” will win, based on its staying power and popularity at radio.

FINAL VERDICT: Brandon Heath’s radio mainstay has to win in a few categories, and while Francesca Battistelli is a great choice, this will be Brandon’s award to lose.

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INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG

Who Will Win

Bill Lurwick: Michael W. Smith – “A New Hallelujah”
Smitty adds another one to his trophy case. No contest.

Kevin Davis: Michael W. Smith – “A New Hallelujah”
Strange list of songs as I expected “God Of This City” by Chris Tomlin, “All Because of Jesus” by Fee and “Love Is Here” by Tenth Avenue North to be nominated. Michael W. Smith’s nice new worship anthem is probably the best choice from the nominated songs. “Bless The Lord” by Laura Story has a chance here, but “Mighty To Save” may have been a better song choice for Laura and Smitty, who both recorded good versions of the song in 2008.

Andrew Funderburks: Michael W. Smith – “A New Hallelujah”
Although I’ve never been a big fan of Smitty (I have no idea why), I really was taken by “A New Hallelujah.” Maybe it was the African Children’s Choir, but this song just moved me. It’s a call to the church to arise, and sing a new hallelujah. How can you not sing along with all those voices lifted in praise?

FINAL VERDICT: Looks like we’re in agreement across the board. Congrats Smitty!

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WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Logan Leisure: Michael W. Smith – “A New Hallelujah”
I’ll admit that I’m equally torn between two songs here: “Mighty to Save” and Smitty’s “A New Hallelujah.” Both are heavily deserving cuts, but Michael W. Smith’s track impresses me the most every time I play it-–which is often.

Andrew Funderburks: “Mighty To Save” by Ben Fielding, Joel Houston
“Mighty to Save” should win. All the artists that have recorded this song have done an amazing job. This song holds such a powerful message that our God is mighty to save, if God’s people will shine their lights to the world. A close follow-up is “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews.

Who Will Win

Bill Lurwick: “Mighty To Save” by Ben Fielding, Joel Houston
I don’t know how many times this song has been stuck in my head this year. Every time I sing it, it just makes me want to raise my hands in worship. Maybe you can relate. Thanks for recording it Laura Story, and thanks for writing it Ben Fielding & Joel Houston!

Kevin Davis: “Mighty To Save” by Ben Fielding, Joel Houston
I’m not exactly sure what is different from Inspirational song, since “A New Hallelujah” is nominated in both categories, but I like this list a lot more. Hillsong has been writing amazing worship anthems for over a decade and this could start a trend of more Nashville artists covering songs from down under. “Hosanna” by Hillsong United (Brooke Fraser) and covered by Starfield was another example in 2008. I hope I’m right about this one, however it is hard to rule out “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin. For me, “Mighty To Save” is one of the top 50 songs of the decade.

Logan Leisure: Chris Tomlin – “Jesus Messiah”
Do I really even need to say it? Chris Tomlin’s “Jesus Messiah” is inevitably going to win. He’s won in this category the past three years, so I wouldn’t bet on anything new happening here.

Andrew Funderburks: Chris Tomlin – “Jesus Messiah”
His worship songs are just too popular for anyone to pass up.

FINAL VERDICT: Could a Chris Tomlin backlash finally be brewing? It seems people are ready to spread the wealth, and “Mighty To Save” will be there to collect.

The Round Table Continues! Don't miss Part 1 and Part 3 of our GMA Dove Award discussion.