John: This is certainly a diverse list, with releases that check all kinds of different boxes. There are some obvious big storylines here, and a couple of very unique ones with both Marc Martel and Stryper being included. What is your take on Martel's journey and place in Christian Music?

Mark: He has a place given his time as the frontman for Downhere, but this seems like a fork in the road for him, as though choosing this amazing opportunity to front Queen to propel him forward. Not in any self-serving way, but just as a new choice. I'm not sure if fans of his newer music, if they are mainstream fans, truly understand his Christian roots. His place in Christian music is probably right there with Mat Kearney. Would that be fair?

John: I would say so, although the stage he is on with the Queen covers and in singing for the movie has the potential for him to become significantly well known. In the end, it's probably proof that the guy can really sing–CCM, Mainstream, or anywhere in between. Speaking of Mat Kearney, let's go there next. Mat just kind of decided to be 'mainstream' without much fanfare at some point, released an independent record, and continued to sell out lots of venues that he plays. I don't think he's had a breakout hit, but his fans are loyal and many, and having seen Mat in concert recently, his audience is really, really varied. What do you think?

Mark: I would agree. CRAZYTALK is a strong album, artistically speaking, and shows Mat's singer-songwriter strength. I wouldn't say he's making waves with his album peaking at #16 on the Billboard charts and only charting for one week, and not getting the placements that some of our other nominees have seen. Out of our five nominees, even though possibly the strongest of the 'mainstream' albums out of those nominated, he's probably had the least impact. That leaves us with three. Shall we tackle the perennial rockers next?

John: You bet! Stryper sure knows how to make waves, but I don't know that I would describe it as 'impact.' Over the course of their career, they certainly have had one, and they certainly have their loyal fans. However, I feel like the impact of their most recent album didn't extend much beyond the shock value from the title and the interviews the band gave surrounding it. The guys in Stryper are legends, but that's where the impact of this record seems to me.

Mark: If there was a lifetime achievement impact award, we might be having a different conversation. They are veterans and continue to please their hardcore fan base, but they aren't moving the needle in terms of music or winning new fans. Daigle and Kelly are on opposite sides of the same coin. On one side, we have Tori Kelly who has strongly professed her faith in the past. With Hiding Place, she really showed that an established mainstream artist can make a gospel album and have great success. Daigle, on the other hand, is the Christian artist who made an album that had broad-based appeal in mainstream . With her talk show appearances, television placements and even late-year success with some of her Christmas music she is definitely showing how staying faithful to a calling while having a broader impact than completely switching course. It hasn't come with some controversy though as she continues to shake off the Christian artist label. I look forward to what follows for both artists. Who do you think had the bigger impact on the mainstream?

John: Both Tori and Lauren are having massive impacts in differing ways, which just shows the value in artists doing what they know and feel is right. If the music is good and honest, it will affect people, regardless of whether you are branded as a mainstream or Christian artist. Fans of CCM have known how good Lauren Daigle is for a long time, but Look Up Child is so good that the industry as a whole has taken notice. Tori Kelly, on the other hand, has always maintained that she is a Christian but not CCM, which gives her an amazing platform for a record like Hiding Place. To me, Tori has had the bigger impact overall, but I believe the NRT voters will go with Daigle for this award. What do you think?

Mark: Based on style alone, Daigle being CCM and Tori being Gospel, I believe the NRT faithful would vote for Daigle in this category. I don't necessarily disagree either. When I think of the title of Mainstream Impact, I think of a typical Christian artist (read CCM) impacting mainstream music and/or culture. That is why I would give the vote to Lauren in this one. Perhaps it is merely semantics. I know one thing is for certain, out of all of our categories this year, the Mainstream Impact Award has the greatest potential for the closest margin of victory, and either Lauren Daigle or Tori Kelly will definitely have a new piece of hardware for this category. Any final thoughts?

John: I think you've summed it up pretty well. Both Lauren and Tori occupy a really important place in music right now, and either will be a deserving winner!

NOTE: Voting is now open through Friday, January 25, 2019 at WeLoveAwards.com. Winners will be announced during our Facebook Live broadcast from Visible Music College's Memphis campus on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.  
Read More About What We Loved From 2018

• #1 - Pop Albums of the Year
• #2 - Album/EP of the Year
• #3 - Worship Categories
• #4 - Pop and Contemporary Songs of the Year
• #5 - Group and New Artist/Group of the Year 
• #6 - Male and Female Artists of the Year
• #7 - Rock Categories
• #9 - Rap/Urban Albums