We continue our exclusive Round Table discussion of the 2009 GMA Dove Award Nominations. Don't miss
Part 1 and
Part 2 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 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Who Should Win
Bill Lurwick: Satisfied by DecembeRadio
This is another tough category for me. I really like DecembeRadio’s
Satisfied. It is killer to workout too. Plus, they are great guys, and man, Brian Bunn can play some incredible lead guitar.
Andrew Funderburks: Southern Hospitality by Disciple
Even though I’m not the biggest fan of hard rock/emo music, I must say I was quite pleased with Disciple’s latest offering. They are very sound lyrically, and the music doesn’t overpower the vocals like it does in a lot of other hard core groups.
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: To Know That Your Alive by Kutless
Kutless has burst back on the scene with
To Know That Your Alive, and continues to break new ground musically with each release. I’ve got to give it to them this year, in spite of how much I love DecembeRadio. It’s hard to give up that 80’s childhood of mine.
Kevin Davis: Satisfied by DecembeRadio
It’s probably not fair for Skillet’s excellent live album to be against 4 very good studio albums. I’d have put
Revelation by Third Day here as well. DecembeRadio released a great second album and my favorite of the group of albums nominated. Since I think they’ll lose out in the 2 nominated song categories, this is probably where they will get a Dove Award.
Southern Hospitality by Disciple is a dark horse here.
Andrew Funderburks: Comatose Comes Alive by Skillet
They’ve garnered a lot of attention in the past year. None of the other albums brought in a lot of attention, except
To Know That You’re Alive by Kutless. But the obvious extra miles Skillet put into this live album will clinch the award.
FINAL VERDICT: This category is wide open with strong nominations all around. Could it be too close to call? That’s no fun, so we’ll give the photo finish to Skillet for producing one the most compelling live offerings we’ve seen in a long time.
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ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Who Should Win
Andrew Funderburks: Expect The Impossible by Stellar Kart
Stellar Kart’s lyrics greatly matured and though their new music didn’t impress many fans, their music remains influential for today’s young generation.
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: Expect The Impossible by Stellar Kart
Incredible Project. You’ve got to give it up for these Arizona natives. They continue to be cutting edge.
Kevin Davis: Hello by After Edmund
Finally, a category that includes After Edmund, who recorded my favorite debut album of 2008. Another good list could have also included Third Day and should have included Sanctus Real and Downhere in my opinion. After Edmund released an amazing album and was also nominated for a Grammy. They should have been nominated for best new artist. I’m hoping for two in a row for Slanted Records’ artists DecembeRadio and After Edmund here. Due to the artist of the year nomination, I can’t rule out
Unbreakable by Fireflight in this category.
Andrew Funderburks: Never Going Back To OK by The Afters
I’m torn between
Unbreakable by Fireflight or
Never Going Back To OK by The Afters, but I’m going to give the slight advantage to The Afters.
FINAL VERDICT: This is After Edmund’s only nomination, which is a shame. A bigger shame? A loss in this category.
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POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Who Should Win
Kevin Davis: Bebo Norman by Bebo Norman
So finally,
Revelation by Third Day is nominated, but in the pop category against good competition. I’m surprised
Something To Say by Matthew West wasn’t nominated. Also missing in my opinion are great albums from Tenth Avenue North and Brandon Heath. All that said, Bebo Norman’s self title release was rated #3 in my Top 10 of 2008 and is my choice based on “Pull Me Out,” “Hear It From Me” and “Britney.”
Logan Leisure: Jon Forman & Third Day (Toss Up)
I’ll be blunt about this. Two artists deserve to win in this category: Jon Foreman, because of the sheer brilliance and genius behind his career defining music, and Third Day, because they know how to make music that will keep fans listening and craving for more.
Andrew Funderburks: My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli
Francesca’s sound is just so infectious, happy and yet she still pinpoints many areas that are relevant to life.
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: Relentless by Natalie Grant
Bernie Herms & Natalie Grant continue their biggest night ever at the Doves with the success of
Relentless. Way to go guys!
Kevin Davis: My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli
Infectious choice, and truly a “pop” album. Naturally, I’m okay with Bebo or Third Day winning, but I think Francesca’s “pulling out” the win over Bebo.
Logan Leisure: Revelation by Third Day
Cuts like “Born Again” with Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf, “Slow Down” featuring Chris Daughtry, and “Revelation” should make this a shoe-in for a victory. But we can’t ignore the year that Natalie Grant has had. It will be a big upset, but it’s possible.
Andrew Funderburks: Revelation by Third Day
The only other album that garnered as much attention as
Revelation would be
My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli, and for now, this one is Third Day’s to lose.
FINAL VERDICT: Third Day released the best album of 2008 in my opinion and while Bebo Norman is a close second, this will be Third Day’s second win of the night.
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INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: Great God Who Saves by Laura Story
I’ve got to go with the young lady who wrote “Indescribable” a few years back for some guy named Tomlin. Yeah, she wrote it, he recorded it, won some awards for it, and now it’s her turn with the same producer. Laura Story & Ed Cash win for
Great God Who Saves.
Andrew Funderburks: Great God Who Saves by Laura Story
Her music may not have shot up to #1, but as soon as you hear her voice, she calls for your attention. She definitely has the hand of God in her music.
FINAL VERDICT: With some of the lesser known nominations, Laura will ride her popular song “Mighty To Save” to a win in this category.
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PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Who Should Win
Kevin Davis: Opposite Way by Leeland
Pretty good list of choices. I’m kind of surprised to not see
Kingdom of Comfort by Delirious?,
Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster and
God Of This City by Passion on this list. However, Leeland’s sophomore album got overlooked and as the only nomination for this great band, I rated this album highest overall of the nominees (#6 of 2008), so this is my choice particularly based on the title song which is amazing and should have been nominated.
Logan Leisure: Opposite Way by Leeland
Leeland does something that other worship artists can’t--they make their music relevant to teen and young adult listeners--something extremely key in keeping the worship genre strong. One listen to this record is all the proof of this that you need.
Andrew Funderburks: Great God Who Saves by Laura Story
Her music has just ministered so much to me ever since her debut project came out. Although I was already familiar with many of these songs, she just shed fresh light on them.
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: A New Hallelujah by Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith adds his second Dove of the night for the complete project
A New Hallelujah. On a side note, why isn’t Lincoln Brewster’s incredible project
Today Is The Day nominated in this category? Come on GMA. Major disappointment here.
Kevin Davis: Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Based on sales and radio success of “Jesus Messiah,” and anthems “God Of This City” and “I Will Rise,” this album probably wins.
Logan Leisure: Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
I can’t decide who will come out on top, but it should be a battle between Smitty and Tomlin. Neither would surprise me, but if history has a way of predicting things, Tomlin has the advantage here.
Andrew Funderburks: Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
He, I guess you could say, is the reigning worship artist of the decade. His music catches on very quickly in churches, and considering that he takes most worship Doves home, I’m assuming this year’s will be no exception.
FINAL VERDICT: Chris Tomlin is the obvious favorite, but Michael W. Smith ushers in live worship like no other artist, and his multi-cultural album was an event for modern praise & worship.
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LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Who Will Win
Bill Lurwick: Alive & Transported by tobyMac
Hey, if you win a Grammy for it, you should probably win a Dove for it too, right?
Andrew Funderburks: Alive & Transported by tobyMac
tobyMac’s music and his performance are stunning. How many people his age do you see jumping that high in the air? This is Toby’s first live project, and although many have seen him live in concert, this will be a treat for those who haven’t.
FINAL VERDICT: tobyMac is the obvious pull, but Skillet has better production of their career record that continues to impress. Don’t be surprised to see them sweep this out from under tobyMac’s feet!
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RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING
Who Will Win
Kevin Davis: Revelation by Third Day
Is this really the only other Third Day nomination? Looks like it will be a strange year at the Dove Awards for Third Day and this may be their only win. Based on the cool salvation hill artwork with the song titles, this is my selection and perhaps the title song “Revelation” will get a nomination next year.
Andrew Funderburks: Hawk Nelson Is My Friend by Hawk Nelson
The packaging of the other projects don’t look as good, or as cool, as this one. Plus, a free game board with band head’s as playing pieces? It doesn’t get better than that! The only other cover that comes close would be “The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole” by Trenches.
FINAL VERDICT: A favorite category, but rarely acknowledged, Third Day has done a good job taking the theme on
Revelation to print ads, stage sets and online graphics, however, Hawk Nelson’s game inside a package should be rewards for its creativity.
The Round Table Continues! Don't miss Part 1 and Part 2 of our GMA Dove Award discussion.
