With the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards a week away, we bring you our precdictions of who should win a Dove and who will win a Dove in the top six categories.

Categories featured in our list are: Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Group of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year. For a full list of categories and nominees, visit http://www.doveawards.com.

In case you haven't yet noticed, there are two Lindsays serving you on the editorial staff for CCMmagazine.com, ChristianMusicPlanet.com and CMCentral.com. So you don't become confused about which Lindsay's predictions you're reading, Lindsay Williams' predictions will be in italics. Lindsay Scranton's predictions will not be.

If you agree or disagree with our predictions, we'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment at the bottom of the article with your thoughts and predictions for this year's awards. 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR nominees: Chris Tomlin, Gerald Wolfe, Jon Foreman, Mark Hall, Mark Schultz, Marvin Sapp, tobyMac

SHOULD WIN: tobyMac
Toby’s had an incredible year. The release of Portable Sounds only solidified his place in the Christian music elite. If it wasn’t enough that his legacy is dcTalk, he’s becoming quite a force to be reckoned with in multiple areas of the Christian community—entrepreneur, activist and trendy solo act.

SHOULD WIN: Jon Foreman
Jon Foreman’s music (whether solo or with Switchfoot) is popular both in and beyond the Christian music market.  Though bands like Switchfoot are often criticized for being “too secular,” the fact is that everybody needs to hear about Jesus, especially those who don’t already know Him.  Props to Jon and the Switchfoot boys for bringing the Gosple beyond the Christian music realm.

WILL WIN: Mark Hall
He’s the primary songwriter and front man for the biggest band in Christian music. Why wouldn’t he win?

WILL WIN: Mark Hall
Radio loves Casting Crowns, as does the Gospel Music Association.


FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR nominees: Amy Grant, Christy Nockels, Darlene Zschech, Krystal Meyers, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Sandi Patty

SHOULD WIN: Mandisa
Though she’s a brand-new artist, she’s certainly had the most buzz this year out of all the nominees (and she’s been the only one with a new album within the qualifying period).

SHOULD WIN: Darlene Zschech
Darlene’s impact is global and doesn’t even originate in America.  A beacon of missions work and worship, Darlene’s more like the Female Vocalist of the World.

WILL WIN: Natalie Grant
Natalie can easily ride the coattails of her last two wins for “Female Vocalist,” winning by default (a tale-tale sign that we NEED more strong female voices like Natalie in Christian music). Plus, “In Better Hands” is nominated for “Song of the Year,” proving that Relentless (her latest project that released last month) could be another landmark album for her. 

WILL WIN: Natalie Grant
She may actually get a three-peat.  It’s possible.  She’s active in her career and just came out with a new album.


GROUP OF THE YEAR nominees: Casting Crowns, David Crowder*Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Hillsong United, Point Of Grace, Selah, The Clark Sisters

SHOULD WIN: Casting Crowns
Though I’d personally love to see the ever creative and colorful David Crowder Band take home this bird, Casting Crowns has had one amazing year, and no one can argue that point.

SHOULD WIN: Hillsong United
Global impact, message of love, mission of unity.  The music of Hillsong United isn’t about selling records and that’s refreshing.  The Gospel has worldwide appeal and so does this group.

WILL WIN: Casting Crowns
Like it or not, they are what’s “it” in Christian music right now.

WILL WIN: Casting Crowns
Ask almost anyone to name the top group in Christian music and they’ll probably say Casting Crowns.  I think the GMA will say the same thing by giving them a Dove.


SONG OF THE YEAR nominees:
"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, sixteps Music, worshiptogether.com Songs 
"Bring The Rain"; James Bryson, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Michael John Scheuchzer, Robin Shaffer, Simpleville Music (ASCAP), Wet As A Fish Music (ASCAP)
"East To West"; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms; My Refuge Music (BMI), Club Zoo Music (BMI), SWECS Music (BMI), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Banahana Tunes (ASCAP) 
“Give You Glory”; Jeremy Camp; Stolen Pride Music (ASCAP); Thirsty Moon River Publishing (ASCAP)
“How You Live (Turn Up The Music)”; Cindy Morgan; Lola Max Music (ASCAP), Word Music LLC (ASCAP)
“I’m Not Who I Was”; Brandon Heath; Capilano Music (ASCAP), New Spring Publishing Inc. (ASCAP)
“In Better Hands”; Jim Daddario, Catt Gravitt, Thom Hardwell; Two Girls and a Pen (SESAC), Jim Daddario Music (BMI), Thom Hardwell Music (BMI)
“Made To Love”; Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore, Aaron Rice; Achtober Songs (BMI), Emack Music (ASCAP), Lowe Bar Music (ASCAP), Meadowgreen Music (ASCAP), Rizzle Music (ASCAP)
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Traditional; sixsteps music (ASCAP), worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP)
“Tears Of The Saints”; Jack Mooring, Leeland Dayton Mooring; Meaux Mercy Publishing (BMI), Meaux Jeaux Music (SESAC)
“Undo”; Scott Davis, Kevin Huguley, Wes Willis; Midas Magic (ASCAP), Meaux Hits Music (ASCAP)

SHOULD WIN: "I'm Not Who I Was," Brandon Heath
This song has really connected with listeners. And why shouldn’t it? Forgiveness is a lesson we all need to learn. This is an autobiographical song for a lot of people.

SHOULD WIN: "Made To Love," tobyMac
Rocketing out as the first single from tobyMac’s Portable Sounds, “Made To Love” shook up radio for weeks.  Though it received a lot of airplay when it first released, the song is still refreshing to hear now.  The wonderful thing about toby’s music is that his songs don’t sound boring after hearing them a thousand times.

WILL WIN: "East To West," Casting Crowns
Have you turned on Christian radio lately?

WILL WIN: "East To West," Casting Crowns
The song was all over the place and Casting Crowns is widely popular right now. 


NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR nominees: 33Miles, Austins Bridge, Brandon Heath, DeWayne Woods, Group 1 Crew, Mandisa, Rush Of Fools

SHOULD WIN: Mandisa or Brandon Heath
While the eligibility periods and rules allow Mr. Heath to be nominated this year, he doesn’t “feel” like a brand-new artist. However, a win for him in this category would be well deserved. Mandisa also deserves some serious props. Her vocal chops are arguably some of the best in the biz, and she would definitely be a buzz-worthy recipient.

SHOULD WIN: Brandon Heath
With his catchy music and authentic personality, Brandon is the kind of artist that will stay around for awhile.  He’s not a one-hit wonder, he’s a long-standing, consistent artist.

WILL WIN: Rush Of Fools
Their radio success has been unprecedented. If you don’t know who they are (yet!), you certainly know the words to “Undo.”

WILL WIN: Brandon Heath
Brandon’s new to the artist category but he’s not new to the music business.  His veteran familiarity and fresh music make him a perfect candidate for this award.


ARTIST OF THE YEAR nominees: Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, Point Of Grace, Skillet, The Clark Sisters, tobyMac

SHOULD WIN: Skillet or tobyMac
Both Skillet and toby have really stepped up to the plate this year. Skillet has garnered rave reviews for Comatose and scored several multi-format No. 1’s. They’ve had the best year of their career by far. And everybody loves The Mac. You’ve got to admit; he’s had his A-game on this past year, churning out hit after hit.

SHOULD WIN: tobyMac
Ever on tour, tobyMac is one of the most active and popular artists ever.  His music resonates with fans young and old.  His example proves that a Christian lifestyle isn’t drab and monotonous. 

WILL WIN: Casting Crowns
Can you say shoe in?

WILL WIN: Casting Crowns
Their music sells and their tours sell out.

Well, there you have it.  If you agree/disagree with what we've said, please leave us a comment below.  Be show to check out the Dove Awards live on the Gospel Music Channel.  For more info on the awards, visit http://www.doveawards.com.