Comments on: “I Can Pray” Disqualified from 2008 Fan Awards

By: Seaton

Seaton — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:35:34 +0000

“Another possibility would be for Singing News to simply publish a list of eligible songs and albums.”

David,
That is the best suggestion I have heard.

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:01:02 +0000

Another possibility would be for Singing News to simply publish a list of eligible songs and albums.

That’s how the Dove Awards voting is handled. There’s a period of time before initial voting when albums and songs are submitted to the GMA and they determine if those submissions are eligible. The GMA then sends a list of eligible titles to use in the first round of voting.

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:56:15 +0000

Bryan,
Actually, the first round votes are due in mid-March. The first ballot is in the March issue.

By: BryanJ

BryanJ — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:04:50 +0000

“It would be simpler if the rule said any song appearing on the Singing News chart in the year running from April to March is eligible for votes.”

That makes sense, only change the months from February to January, because the first-round votes are already due in the month of January. How can people vote for songs that haven’t been announced as the next single yet? That rule questions some credibility on the part of Singing News.

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:00:22 +0000

“I guess I don’t really notice when songs get released to radio,”

Heidi, I think that’s the very point that should be raised. The average fan has no idea what songs are eligible when it comes time to vote. They aren’t provided with release dates, yet they’re expected to vote for songs based on those dates. They just know whether or not they like a particular song.

It would be simpler if the rule said any song appearing on the Singing News chart in the year running from April to March is eligible for votes. That way, some songs would overlap and be eligible in more than one year…but it would be MUCH easier for the subscribers to understand.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:58:23 +0000

Ok, I get it now…thanks! I guess I don’t really notice when songs get released to radio, since I don’t have an SG radio station where I live. Thank you Andrew, for clearing that up!

By: Andrew S.

Andrew S. — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:34:10 +0000

“that song is eligible for release”

Sorry about that…
I meant that the Booth Bros. and L5’s songs were eligible for nomination…not release…lol

My bad…

By: Andrew S.

Andrew S. — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:32:38 +0000

Heidi-The Booth Bros. cut of “Look for Me at Jesus’ Feet” has been a hit for several years.However,they didn’t release it to radio until last May-June-or July of ‘07~not sure…
But as far as radio singles are concerned,that song is eligible for release as is L5’s “I’ve Been Changed”.That song wasn’t released to radio until May/June of ‘07.

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:43:28 +0000

I agree with much of what has been said.

I would point out, though, that album release dates and song release dates are two completely different things. A song might release before an album or it might release after an album.

If Gold City’s radio promoter decided to release a single to radio off of _Revival_ after April 1 which is just a few days from now, for example, that song would be elibigle for a 2009 Song category nomination. It doesn’t matter that the album has been out available for sale since the fall of 2006 when it comes to the song category.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:26:29 +0000

I had a similar question to Seaton’s. As you mentioned when you posting the links to the Top Ten songs, the Booth Brother’s have had a hit with “Look for Me” for years! And didn’t Legacy Five release “I Have Been Changed” on Live In Music City, in 2006? I wondered, even as I filled out my nominations, how particular they are about those rules. There were songs and albums that my family considered nominating, but didn’t, because it seems they wouldn’t qualify.