Dove Awards 2016 Predictions: Album Awards

We finally are getting down to our actual Dove Predictions due to #PlatVnyl6 issues. Fortunately for us the Dove's aren't until October 11, so we can still do this before it becomes a farce. We begin with the Album of The Year categories, which is proper, for an album is more involved than quite song. Inspirational Album of The Year  is first, and corresponds to our AC/Inspirational Album Award. Of the five nominees, only one came from the current awards. And that only made the initial pool. The other four nominees are in the #PlatVnyl7 pool. The nominees:

• Brave New World, Amanda Cook
• The Burning Edge of Dawn, Andrew Peterson
• Walls, Gateway Worship 
• Open Heaven/River Wild, Hillsong
• Hymns II; Shine On Us, Michael W. Smith

MY PICK: Hillsong. For those who know me this is a big surprise, since I have accused them of mailing it in for quite a while. However, I think the Australians have turned it around with this record and have rediscovered what made people love them.

Worship Album is next, and corresponds to our Modern Worship Album of The Year. Again of the five nominees, four are in the #PlatVnyl7 Pool which is still fluid and one was a Miss The Mark for #PlatVnyl6. The nominees: 

• Have It All, Bethel Music
• A Live Worship Experience, Casting Crowns
• Here As It Is In Heaven, Elevate Worship
• Empires, Hillsong United
• Let It Echo, Jesus Culture

MY PICK: Going with two similar groups of entries makes this tough. The Dove's should make a clearer line between worship and Inspirational. Though I will hedge myself in with Jesus Culture.

Contemporary Gospel/ Urban Album is next up and had two entries fro #PlatVnyl6, and three for the current eligibility year

• Masterpiece, Deitrick Haddon
• Life Music, Stage Two, Jonathan McReynolds
• Fearless, Jonathan Nelson
• Losing My Religion, Kirk Franklin
• You Shall Live, Marvin Sapp

MY PICK: I shall go with Kirk Franklin here. No tip off to who shall win next year.

Finally I shall take on the Pop/Contemporary Album category, which corresponds between Pop and AC/Insp. The Dove's exploded to 6 here:

• Beautiful Offering, Big Daddy Weave
• Empire, Hillsong United
• Be One, Natalie Grant
• How can It Be, Lauren Daigle
• Love Riot, Newsboys
• This Is Not A Test, Toby Mac

MY PICK: This is a tough one, with a lot of good choices, although some I would have had in other categories than this. I am going to go with Big Daddy Weave on this one.

I think that's representative enough. I shall tackle the Song Awards next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.