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Elsewhere on the Web • The Official Dove Awards Site

The 34th Annual Dove Awards are less than a month away. The best and the brightest in Christian music will be honored for their work during the previous year. CeCe Winans and Steven Curtis Chapman will be hosting and the list of performers and presenters is due to be released any day now. As with all awards shows there is already speculation about who will win in any given category. Here are my picks. They might not turn out to be the actual winners, but in my book they're winners all the way.

Song of the Year: Breathe by Marie Barnett
This deeply moving song was written during a time that Marie was depressed over the suicide of a friend. On her album Worship God, Rebecca St. James graces us with an absolutely beautiful version.

Male Vocalist of the Year: Michael W. Smith
This was a tough category since Mac Powell and Steven Curtis Chapman are two more of my favorites, but when it came down to it Michael took the top spot.

Group of the Year: Third Day
As much as I enjoy MercyMe and Selah, this one was almost easy. Third Day has been getting the top slot in my CD case since the beginning, so they got the top slot on my voting card.

Artist of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman
I can't name a specific SCC song that cinched my choice because I've never heard a SCC song that didn't move me down to my core and make me really stop and thank God for all that He's done. Thirteen years of Dove wins for Steven lets me know that I'm not alone in my thoughts.

Rock Recorded Song of the Year: Tangled Web from Hero by Daily Planet
This was a hard decision because Get On by Third Day is a great song, but Tangled Web won out in the end.

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: Holy from Woven & Spun by Nichole Nordeman
This one could easily become a classic. The rest of the CD is a winner too.

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: Here I Am To Worship from Here I Am To Worship by Tim Hughes
I love this song. It's a true definition of inspirational.

Country Recorded Song of the Year: The River's Gonna Keep On Rolling from Legacy...Hymns & Faith by Amy Grant
I have admired Amy Grant for a long time and this song is just another reason to do so.

Urban Recorded Song of the Year: Meditate from This Is Your Life by Out of Eden
Here you have another potential classic. Out of Eden performs it like only they can. Smokie Norful's It’s All About You is a close second.

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: The Best Is Yet To Come from Go Get Your Life Back by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
The lyrics in this song say it all. When you add the flow of the music and the voices of this group you've got a winner - plain and simple.

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