Colton Dixon sends message of hope, inspiration in debut album
MANILA, Philippines – Though Steven Tyler deemed fan favorite Colton Dixon’s 7TH place finish in American Idol’s Season 11 to be “beyond shocking”, the 21 year old singer/songwriter held true to his musical passion and deep faith, viewing his elimination from the show as a huge opportunity.
While the remaining contestants battled it out for the Season 11 finals, he got right to work collaborating on 13 new songs in 13 days, the start of a songwriting process that ultimately netted him 22 potential tracks and led him to sign with 19/EMI-CMG/Sparrow Records. His highly anticipated debut album A Messenger, (release date Jan. 29, 2013), features 11 powerful and infectious pop/rock tracks that showcase Dixon’s trademark balance of vocal tenderness and intensity, his energetic piano playing and, above all else, a sense of hope and inspiration.
With the built in goodwill of millions of “Messengers” (his nickname for the fans he gained during his run on Idol) behind him, Dixon has been laying the foundation for months for an exciting breakthrough in 2013 that will include the release of the full length album and a late winter/early spring tour opening for the Grammy winning rock band, Third Day. Colton’s performance of “Never Gone” on the American Idols Live 2012 tour was the first time an Idol contestant has performed an original song (that he had co-written) on an American Idol tour.
The uplifting power ballad, “Never Gone,” was heard by over 360,000 on the tour and was an immediate hit digital single, selling 21,000 units its first week and heading straight to #1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel singles chart and Billboard’s Christian Digital Songs and Christian/Gospel Digital Songs charts. The instant success of this track put him in unique company: he and Jennifer Hudson are the only 7TH place finalists in Idol history to reach #1 on a Billboard chart.
“This song is about how we sometimes need a reminder about why we do certain things or in this case, a reminder about whom we are living for,” he explains. “When you are scared of the dark as a child, you just turn on the lights and know everything will be okay. That is the basic message of the song. I’ve experienced this feeling.”
