The Oscars have come and gone, and so what awards show can you obsess about now? The Dove Awards, of course!

That's right, the Gospel Music Association's annual honoring of Christian music's best is just around the corner--Wednesday, April 20, taking place at Atlanta's historic Fox Theater. NRT will be reporting live from backstage at the event and the Doves will be broadcast Easter Sunday, April 24, at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Central) on cable's Gospel Music Channel (gmc).

This week, we begin the first in a series of roundtable opinions regarding the various award categories. NRT Founder Kevin McNeese, Bill Lurwick (the voice of NRT), Senior Editor Marcus Hathcock, and writers Kevin Davis and Sarah Fine all weigh in on who should win and who will win in each category.

For our second installment, we tackle five categories dedicated to individual songs. See our predictions for Rock Recorded Song of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, Inspirational Song of the Year, and Worship Song of the Year.

ROCK RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Kevin McNeese: Disciple - “Dear X (You Don't Own Me)”
New rock releases apparently were in short supply last year, with two of the five nominations coming from albums released in 2009, and Red's Innocence And Instinct now more than two years old. And while "Anchor" is a great song by Satellites and Sirens, it's another "fish out of water" choice that should of belonged in the "Rock/Contemporary" category. For me, the two standouts in this category are "Dear X" by Disciple and "The Sound (John M Perkins Blues)" by Switchfoot. Disciple has the much weaker album of the two, but I just can't get enough of "Dear X." It's the lone highlight on Horseshoes & Handgrenades, but one of the best rock songs of the year.

Marcus Hathcock: Switchfoot - “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)”
Wow, this category is packed full of talent—a lot of heavy hitters! In the end, I think the song that has the best rock-to-message ratio is Switchfoot's passionate ode to civil rights and reconciliation leader John Perkins, “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues).” It rocks, and it speaks.

Sarah Fine: Switchfoot - “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)”
It’s safe to say that this might be one of Switchfoot’s best rock songs in years, possibly since “Meant To Live” back in 2004. The only downside is that the song didn’t receive a ton of airplay on Christian radio, so the only people that know it exists are hardcore Switchfoot fans. With its driving beat and Jon Foreman’s eerie and broken vocals, I still think this song deserves to take the award this year. Disciple’s “Dear X (You Don’t Own Me)” would be my close second choice.

Kevin Davis: Disciple - “Dear X (You Don't Own Me)”
This is a great song by Disciple, and my personal rock anthem. It's quite worthy of the award. I’ve recently heard most of these songs performed live, and “Dear X” sounded even better live than I could have imagined. It's a great list of nominees, but I’m a little confused by the categories as “Anchor” by Satellites & Sirens and “Showstopper” by TobyMac are great songs but should be rock/contemporary and hip-hop categories, respectively. “Start Again” by RED was from 2009.

Who Will Win

Kevin McNeese: Disciple - “Dear X (You Don't Own Me)”
While Disciple won't repeat their 2008 win for Rock Album of the Year, they should win in the Rock Song category this year.

Marcus Hathcock: Switchfoot - “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)” or Disciple - “Dear X (You Don't Own Me)”
This one is quite difficult, given the personnel up for the award. Any one of them could walk away with it, although I think Satellites and Sirens has the least chance, given their newness to the Doves. I'd say it's between Switchfoot and Disciple's “Dear X (You Don't Own Me).” Yep, some song that has parentheses in the title will take it home.

Sarah Fine: tobyMac - “ShowStopper”
I was surprised to see this song in this category this year. While it does have an edgy rock flair, I would have considered it more under the rap category (seeing as it is one of the few rap-driven songs on Toby’s latest album, Tonight). All that aside, with Toby’s song presence as well as the media popularity this song received in 2010, it’s safe to say that “ShowStopper” might be the one to beat.

Kevin Davis: Switchfoot - “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)”
Switchfoot is on a roll, having deservedly won in this category last year with “Mess Of Me,” not to mention their deserved win of a GRAMMY for Hello Hurricane. Hard to deny the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 commercial theme song for this award, which would be a fine selection.

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Kevin McNeese: Third Day - “Lift Up Your Face”
Gungor in the rock category? Really? Chalk that one up as the biggest head scratcher of the night. Other than that, this is a great list of nominations that's a total toss-up in my book. TobyMac crafted the perfect live set opening anthem, MIKESCHAIR came out of nowhere with "Straight To Your Heart," and NEEDTOBREATHE continued to impress with "Something Beautiful." But Mac Powell showed vocal chops on "Lift Up Your Face" that should have landed him a nomination in Male Vocalist of the Year. A win in this category will have to do.

Marcus Hathcock: NEEDTOBREATHE - “Something Beautiful”
TobyMac is all over these awards! Unfortunately, I just don't see this hip-hop artist walking away with any “rock” awards. Really, in my opinion, the “Song of the Year” in this category is the singable, concert anthem “Something Beautiful” by NEEDTOBREATHE. Which song is going to be in Christian music's consciousness 10 years from now? “Something Beautiful.” The others lack the timeless quality that song has.

Sarah Fine: Third Day - “Lift Up Your Face”
Known for their gritty Southern rock, the guys from Third Day put out an amazing track with “Lift Up Your Face”, the first single off their latest album Move. By far one of their most raw and unpolished songs since their Conspiracy No. 5 album, and I love it. I would be great to see the band win the award in this category this year.

Kevin Davis: NEEDTOBREATHE - “Something Beautiful”
My favorite song from my all-time favorite album The Outsiders. Tough competition in this category and great choices. I’m amazed that “Beautiful Things” by Gungor was nominated in this category as it is really a worship song.

Who Will Win

Kevin McNeese: Third Day - “Lift Up Your Face”
While Move didn't excite me as much as an album, "Lift Up Your Face" was classic Third Day, and Mac secured his win when he hit the falsetto bridge. That was a nice vocal surprise from an artist that so many of us have grown to know too well over the years.

Marcus Hathcock: Third Day - “Lift Up Your Face”
Third Day has a great song in “Lift Up Your Face,” and I think the multi-Dove winners will come away with the award. You have to love the music those Georgia boys make. Mac Powell's voice is Christian music, so they're not only a safe bet, but a sure one.

Sarah Fine: NEEDTOBREATHE - “Something Beautiful”
Airplay is what might make this the Dove favorite in 2011. I’d be very surprised if the guys of NEEDTOBREATHE didn’t walk away with the win this year. Then again, the GMA has been known to surprise us.

Kevin Davis: Third Day - “Lift Up Your Face”
The Dove Awards are in their home city of Atlanta and this is the stand-out song from Move. Also, they co-wrote the song with Bo and Bear Rinehart from NEEDTOBREATHE, so it’s like giving the award to both bands, which is cool.

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Kevin McNeese: Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”
With Britt Nicole getting a nod for Female Vocalist of the Year, I was surprised she wasn't nominated here. But like the Song Of The Year category, this one comes down to "Beautiful, Beautiful" by Francesca Battistelli, "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and "Starry Night" by Chris August. Again, Sanctus Real has the edge.

Marcus Hathcock: Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”
This one's another power-packed category, with many songs and artists who made incredible records this year. All things equal—and they pretty much are, in my opinion—I'm going to go with the song with the most unique, piercing message, which is Sanctus Real's “Lead Me,” a challenge to dads and husbands everywhere.

Sarah Fine: Francesca Battistelli - “Beautiful, Beautiful”
I was surprised with a few of the snubs in this category this year, Newsboys “Born Again” and The Afters “Light Up The Sky” just to name a few. All that aside, Francesca Battistelli and Ian Eskelin wrote an absolute gem with “Beautiful, Beautiful.“ It is one of my favorite songs of the year, and I’d be absolutely stunned if it didn’t win the Dove.

Kevin Davis: Francesca Battistelli - “Beautiful, Beautiful”
Pretty much a perfect pop song and a great Christian love song to counter Grammy winner “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum. Almost always the toughest cateogory. Great choices and 4 of the 5 songs are also up for song of the year.

Who Will Win

Kevin McNeese: Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”
I'm fully expecting Sanctus Real to dominate in their nominated categories, and rightfully so.

Marcus Hathcock: tobyMac - “Get Back Up” or Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”
Who wins this really hinges on whether the votes swing towards the pop side of the award or the contemporary side. If it's the pop side, we're going to see “Get Back Up” by tobyMac win the prize. If it's the more contemporary side, you'll see “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real land the Dove.

Sarah Fine: Francesca Battistelli - “Beautiful, Beautiful”
Like I said, I will be absolutely stunned if this doesn’t win the Dove. An amazing song with a plethora of power behind it.

Kevin Davis: MercyMe - “All of Creation”
If voters focus on “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real for Song of the Year, MercyMe’s mega-hit radio anthem may grab this category.

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Kevin McNeese: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
If this list represents Christian Music's future in Inspirational music, it's looking pretty bleak. But Matt Maher's "Christ Is Risen," should be able to rise about the other mediocre selections.

Marcus Hathcock: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
Wow, this category is the antithesis of most of the others, with very few strong choices here. Actually, there's really only one: “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher and Mia Fieldes, a great song that's making the rounds on worship sets . Seems to me he's going to run away with this one. Nobody else quite has the firepower.

Sarah Fine: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
One of the most beautiful and uplifting songs of the year. Matt Maher deserves this award. Period.

Kevin Davis: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
Nice worship anthem, and of the nominated songs, probably the best choice. Strange list of songs, I also expected “Healing Begins” by Tenth Avenue North, “What Love Really Means” by JJ Heller but didn’t get either of them.

Who Will Win

Kevin McNeese: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
With Easter on many voter's minds, Matt Maher's excellent and powerful worship song, "Christ Is Risen," should be able to take home an easy win in this category.

Marcus Hathcock: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
No other choices. See my “Who Should Win.”

Sarah Fine: Phillips, Craig & Dean - “Great Are You Lord”
This is one of those categories that, unfortunately, not a lot of people pay attention to. And because of that, I sometimes think that more familiar names get the win. So while I think Matt Maher totally deserves this, I have a feeling the also talented Phillips, Craig & Dean will take it home in 2011.

Kevin Davis: Matt Maher - “Christ is Risen”
This is a nice worship anthem, and as a previous winner in this category with “Alive Again,” this song is the best choice.

WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR

Who Should Win

Kevin McNeese: John Mark McMillan - "How He Loves"
No other worship song moved me more this past year than "How He Loves." If you haven't read the story behind John Mark McMillan's creation of the song, you're missing out on the birth of a modern hymn. Many other artists like David Crowder Band, Kari Jobe and Kim Walker agree, and it doesn't matter who's singing it, this song always drives me to my knees.

Marcus Hathcock: John Mark McMillan - “How He Loves”
While it pains me not to see Tomlin and Co.'s “Our God” win this award, it would pain me more to see “How He Loves” not win it. From the powerful story behind the death of John Mark McMillan's friend, to the amazing covers by Kari Jobe, David Crowder Band, Bethel Music and others, there's nothing more profound and powerful in worship than truly discovering the love of God. Thinking of Heaven meeting Earth “like a sloppy wet kiss” pushed the boundaries of our contemporary Christian liturgy, which is yet another reason this song deserves the nod.

Sarah Fine: John Mark McMillan - “How He Loves”
David Crowder Band’s rendition of this song has brought some serious attention to songwriter and worship leader John Mark McMillan. It has fast become one of the most unconventionally written and captivating worship songs I’ve ever heard, and I love the idea behind the “modern worship movement” John Mark believes in. I believe it would be a great victory to see this song win the Dove in 2011.

Kevin Davis: John Mark McMillan - “How He Loves”
My top song of 2009, which was covered by David Crowder Band, is nominated again, this time by the writer of the song. I’m not exactly sure what is different from Inspirational Song, since “Christ Is Risen” is nominated in both categories. Better list of songs in this category.

Who Will Win

Kevin McNeese: John Mark McMillan - “How He Loves”
“How He Loves" has a pretty big hurdle to jump over in the form on Chris Tomlin's "Our God," but if there's ever a time to jump rank and award a new songwriter on the scene, this is it. John Mark McMillian may not have the name recognition, but unless votes have been avoiding local church services, "How He Loves" should win.

Marcus Hathcock: John Mark McMillan - “How He Loves”
I'm not sure if the “sloppy wet kiss” is still too much for some people (even if it's one of the most heartfelt worship songs of ourq time), so if “How He Loves” doesn't win the Dove, it'll clearly be the powerful, defiant, resilient “Our God” by Tomlin and his Passion buddies—certainly not a second-tier worship song.

Sarah Fine: Chris Tomlin - “Our God”
Let’s face it, Chris Tomlin, for the last several years has been a shoe-in in this category. But I really do believe that if he won the Dove this year, much like John Mark McMillan, it would be well-deserved. Chris, alongside Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves and others, penned an outstanding song that captures the heart of worship leaders and worshipers alike. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this song won. As a matter of fact, I might be more surprised if it doesn’t.

Kevin Davis: Chris Tomlin - “Our God”
There will be a lot of other writers on stage accepting this award with Chris, but there is no denying the impact Chris Tomlin has had in churches and on radio. Personally, I vote for “How Great Is Love” by Meredith Andrews and Paul Baloche, but it has less recognition overall.