2009 SGN Music Awards - Who did I vote for?

Now the voting is over in the 2009 SGN Music Awards, I thought I'd fill everyone in on who I voted for personally. These were my personal favorites of the year, outside of company affiliations, friendships, etc. (These are not the winners - just who I voted for. Winners will be announced at a special Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in Smyrna, Tennessee.)

SONG OF THE YEAR: "Your Cries Have Awoken the Master" - Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary: It was a very tough category - and honestly - I feel like it was one of the strongest years, if not the strongest year, that this category has seen since the inception of the SGN Music Awards in 2002. I ultimately went with Mike & Kelly over other FANTASTIC songs like "The Broken Ones," "Whispered Prayers," "When God Ran," and "Preach the Word." Very tough decision - but it's a fantastic song and Mike & Kelly Bowling pulled out a fantastic performance on it.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Faith to Believe - Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary: I stated in my review of this album that this was the best Southern Gospel album released this year - and I stand by that statement. Song selection, performances, arrangements - it was all just stellar. The Mike LeFevre Quartet's Nothin' But Good was a close second to me though.

PACESETTER: Canaan Records
Commentary: This was the first year that the Pacesetter nominees did not include an artist. I had a hard time deciding between all five nominees here. Christian Voice is a great new magazine that's really starting to make a name for itself. Chuck Peters is hands down the best journalist in Southern Gospel, and "The Southern Styles Show" is helping to take SG radio into the 21st century. Also, with the recent changes made to the National Quartet Convention this last year, they are also a viable contender. I ultimately went with Canaan Records. They released not only the best CD of the year to me, the also released the second best CD of the year to me (Mike LeFevre Quartet's Nothin' But Good and a stellar album from Kim Hopper. Plus, their podcasts are really a great way of thinking outside of the box.

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Eighth Day
Commentary: Talk about another really tough category. Crabb Revival or Aaron & Amanda Crabb seemed the obvious choices here, but ultimately I couldn't pick one over the other - because I love them both so much. I ultimately went with Eighth Day - because they've worked very hard over the last few years, they have a great sound, and they are just super nice people. Plus, their album, Everything Holy, sounds fantastic.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Jim Brady (Booth Brothers)
Commentary: Man, talk about a tough category. Mike Bowling released, like I said, the best CD of the year with his wife, but Jim Brady had the edge for me. His solo album is just plain awesome, and his work on the Booth Brothers' Room For More really stood out.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River)
Commentary: It's funny that I think Mike & Kelly Bowling released the best CD of the year, but didn't vote for either one of them in their respective vocal categories. I ultimately went with Karen on this because of her 4 back-to-back #1s. The gal's on fire - why not vote for her?

MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR: Dove Brothers
Commentary: These guys are continuing to have great years one right after the other. I don't think their Life recording was as good as Never Be the Same - but it's doing its job in helping to define in the new Dove Brothers sound. Mike LeFevre Quartet was a close second for me.

FEMALE GROUP OF THE YEAR: Amazed
Commentary: Much like the Dove Brothers, these girls are on a role...

MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck & New River
Commentary: Four back-to-back #1s and another great album release. That put them over the edge for me.

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Artist): Becky & Sonya Isaacs
Commentary: Another tough category. The Isaacs sisters, Jim Brady, and Joseph Habedank are all on a role writing hit songs. I ultimately went with the songwriters of my Song of the Year choice...

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Artist): David Staton (Mike LeFevre Quartet)
Commentary: Staton does a great job of helping in the recording process for those on the Song Garden labels.

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Micah Schweinsberg (Crabb Revival)
Commentary: The only non-piano player in the batch. If you've ever seen Micah live, you know he's one of the best.

BEST LIVE PERFORMER: Booth Brothers
Commentary: They do a great job of mixing entertainment and ministry in their concerts. They're on top right now, and this is a really big reason for it.

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN SONG OF THE YEAR: "Hello After Goodbye" - Legacy Five
Commentary: I'm usually not a huge fan of L5's sound - but this was a great song and tribute to one of Southern Gospel's most popular artists (Roger Bennett). I was also a HUGE fan of "The Great I Am Still Is" by Triumphant Quartet - but ultimately went with L5 here.

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Moment of Truth - Gold City
Commentary: Gold City continues to do a fantastic job of stretching the boundaries of traditional southern Gospel.

PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN SONG OF THE YEAR: "Your Cries Have Awoken the Master" - Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary: My overall pick for Song of the Year would easily translate into a vote in the breakaway categories as well.

PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Nothin' But Good - Mike LeFevre Quartet
Commentary: I finally got my chance to vote for this album. It was just a really really great album.

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS SONG OF THE YEAR: "Cinderella" - Misty Freeman
Commentary: Extremely strong melody and a lyric that easily tugs at your heartstrings. Misty hit a homerun with this one.

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Faith to Believe - Mike & Kelly Bowling
Commentary: Again, my overall pick for Album of the Year should receive a vote in this breakaway category.

SPECIAL EVENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR: December: Hymns Where the Story Began, Chapter 2 - Mercy's Well
Commentary: This was a great Christmas album from one of Southern Gospel's most talented new artists. If you haven't heard this, you need to.

FAN FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck & New River
Commentary: I get to vote for my favorite artist here. I did just that.

Who did you vote for?

Page 1 of 1 pages