The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards pre-show is over and the big night is just about ready to begin. Before the final awards are handed out, NRT's Founder Kevin McNeese joins our Senior Editor, Marcus Hathcock and Lead Contributor Kevin Davis for a quick roundtable discussion of the awards that have been handed out so far. We'll have full analysis of the night in the coming days, but for now, there's plenty to discuss as we get ready for the big show.

FULL DISCLAIMER: We're going to be a little loose in editing on this editorial in an attempt to get this out there as soon as possible. We apologize for any errors you probably will come across! 

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments below and follow our complete coverage here including a list of nominees and winners in each category as they happen.

Kevin Davis: I'll start us off. I'm disappointed that Newsboys will not be winning any awards for their excellent album Born Again or Born Again: Miracles Edition for that matter. They are on a smaller label, InPop, but there is no denying their popularity. For me, that is the best album of their career and I would have liked to see them win.

Kevin McNeese: I'll echo your comments on Newsboys. I was disappointed they did not win. But awards aren't everything I guess. I did want to see them get recognized though.

Kevin Davis: I am thrilled that my favorite band NEEDTOBREATHE won 3 more awards during the pre-show including Group of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Song for "Slumber" and Rock/Contemporary Album. It is extremely well-deserved for an album I called "the best album I've ever heard." If you've been waiting to jump on the NEEDTOBREATHE bandwagon, "wake on up from your slumber, baby open up your eyes."

Marcus Hathcock: So happy about the NEEDTOBREATHE wins.

Kevin McNeese: What do you think about "Your Great Name" winning Worship Song Of The Year? Our team was pretty split in that category.

Kevin Davis: I'm thrilled with "Your Great Name" winning. "Hosanna" is my all-time favorite worship song, and has been nominated before but the song was released in 2007. When I think back on 2011, "Your Great Name," "Blessings," Laura Story, Lecrae, and Jamie-Grace are the names I'll remember the most.

Kevin McNeese: I'm not sure why I picked "Hosanna" as "WHO WILL WIN" for Worship Song of the Year. It's a 6 year old song and I think everyone knew it as they voted. "Your Great Name" is an amazing song for sure, and very vertical. In hindsight, I missed that call.

Do you guys think Hillsong can ever catch a break outside of a Worship category? We all felt they were a shoe in for "Inspirational Album of the Year." But Selah took it home. Do you think voters believe that "Hillsong = Worship. The end."

Marcus Hathcock: Absolutely. That's their thing, and I don't think they'd be upset to hear that. 

Kevin Davis: Hillsong has already missed on 4 key categories today: Inspirational Album, Worship Song, Worship Album, and Long-Form Video. I know we all sing Chris Tomlin songs and "Our God" in church, but I really feel that Aftermath was the Worship Album of the Year.

Marcus Hathcock: Aftermath was pivotal.

Kevin McNeese: I felt Aftermath produced one of Hillsong's first pop hits with "Search My Heart." That song gives me hope that Hillsong will break this mold of "worship only" in the eyes of voters. Chris Tomlin has done that.

Kevin Davis: They've already missed on 4 key categories today: Inspirational Album, Worship Song, Worship Album, and Long-Form Video. I know we all sing Chris Tomlin songs and "Our God" in church, but I really feel that Aftermath was the Worship Album of the Year.

Kevin McNeese: And I felt it produced one of their first pop hits with "Search My Heart." That song gives me hope that Hillsong will break this mold of "worship only" in the eyes of voters. Chris Tomlin has done that.

Kevin Davis: Regarding Laura Story winning Best Pop/Contemporary Album for Blessings. I picked it as my "will win," but as a GMA member I voted for Hundred More Years by Francesca Battistelli. That's an incredible Pop Album. Blessings should have been in the Inspirational Album category in my opinion.

 

Kevin McNeese: I think so too. There's not much "pop" in Laura's album.

Marcus Hathcock: Look at the Facebook poll we put up earlier today. Laura Story probably will win Artist of the Year, but she was a distant third to votes for Lecrae and Casting Crowns. Different measures, I guess. And probably different audience, too.

Kevin Davis: Marcus, that's an interesting result in the Facebook poll, and yes, a different audience to be sure than the voters. Casting Crowns has already lost in the worship song category, but Lecrae may actually sweep this year. I would not rule him out for Artist of the Year.

Kevin McNeese: Artist of the Year will be either Laura Story or Lecrae. It's a two way race for sure.

Marcus Hathcock: Lecrae is finally getting his due. Nuff said. I just hope he can pull off the Artist of the Year award!

Kevin Davis: It's been an incredible year for Lecrae. Last year, we sat stunned with the rest of the press room when Lecrae won zero awards. I thought someone was going to flip tables for sure, but I'm very happy that Rehab: The Overdose won Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year. Great job making up for not awarding Rehab the Award last year.

I won't have to "flip over any tables in righteous anger" now that The Story has very deservedly won for Special Event Album of the Year. Although I agree that Passion: Here For You is the best in the series, The Story is an incredible project that absolutely needed to win.

Marcus Hathcock: I agree. And truth be told, I hadn't fully immersed myself in The Story when I voted. I would probably change my vote had we weighed in today.

Kevin McNeese: Switchfoot is having a good night so far, but I think their award categories are done right?

Kevin Davis: Yes, Switchfoot went 2 for 2 in the Rock Category. Good selections, although I'm partial to RED.

Kevin McNeese: Any final thoughts guys before the rest of the night plays out here?

Kevin Davis: Yes, I'd like to add that it's time to give Skillet another Dove Award. Their only win was in 2008 for "Comatose." "Lucy" is one of the most emotional rock songs I've ever heard, and as much as I love NEEDTOBREATHE, I really wanted to see Skillet win this year.

Kevin McNeese: It's a great song, but I don't think it got the radio play. Skillet needs to record faster. 3-4 years in between albums...it's killing us! Can't wait for the rest of the night. It's been really interesting and fun so far!