COLTON DIXON

Colton Dixon turns personal truths, stories, and experiences into universal anthems. As if projecting a diary on the big screen, he candidly shares his journey, life, and faith aloud in his music, opening up a conversation over a soundtrack of stadium-size pop with just the right amount of rock bombast. Amplifying his introspective songwriting through powerhouse delivery, he’s quietly asserted himself as a vital voice beloved by fans worldwide. Tallying streams in the hundreds of millions, selling out shows, and appearing on major television programs, he captivates once again on his 2023 EP, Canvas [Atlantic Records].

“My heart is for people,” he exclaims. “I aim to make music that’s true and authentic to me and what I believe, but is accessible to anyone else at the same time. Sonically, lyrically, and of course spiritually, I want to create music that gives everyone listening something to hang on to; to bring hope and meaning to their lives. Sometimes, I am more specific. Other times, I leave it up to listeners to fill in the blanks based on their personal circumstances. I’m really proud of the music on this EP and the message it brings: faith, hope, and strength.”

He lived a lot of life in the meantime…

During 2020, he embarked on a new chapter with Atlantic Records ignited by the self-titled Colton Dixon EP and runaway hit “Miracles”—one of his most popular tracks to date. After a “perfect pregnancy,” his wife labored for over thirty hours with their twins: Dior and Athens. Dior arrived without a pulse, yet medical staff resuscitated her as mom and dad prayed intently. Following a few days in the NICU, she went home for the first time in her parents’ arms. This experience and fatherhood changed Colton in the best of ways.

“It’s shifted a lot of perspectives,” he affirms. “The girls are watching and listening even when you think they’re not, so I’ve got to make sure I’m a good example of what a human should do. When you boil it down, that’s what parents are. It made me focus more on what my calling is. I want them to know their dad served others, loved others, and put God first. That’s what this CANVAS EP is.”

In between acclimating to fatherhood, he wrote and recorded the EP. Kicking off this era, he experienced a creative breakthrough with “Build A Boat” in 2022. Between the original and duet version with multiplatinum country songstress Gabby Barrett, it reeled in over 30 million streams (and counting). It also stood out as “the longest running Mediabase Christian AC #1 song of 2022” and locked down #1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs Chart and Christian AC Airplay Chart for 10 weeks. People premiered the accompanying music video and hailed it as “inspiring” for its depiction of the work of medical charity Mercy Ships.

In 2023, he heralds the EP with the single “My Light,” penned by the team behind "Build A Boat," Swedish songwriter’s Robin Sternberg and Johan Lindbrant, along with Dixon, Pete Becker, Dan Caplan, Seth Mosley. Produced by Lindbrant and Stjernberg, the track’s shimmering piano gives way to stomping handclaps. His vocals flutter over the verses before climaxing on a chantable chorus, “You will be my light,” uplifted even higher by a heavenly falsetto.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve all been in a dark place,” he admits. “It was like, ‘Man, I’m not sure if the world will come back’. In my case, I didn’t know if I’d ever tour again. The twins were born in the same year I lost my main source of income—which is touring. It was scary. If I’ve ever been afraid, I know

there’s someone who loves me and will guide me through – God is my light, but we all can relate to people in our lives that help strengthen us as well and keep us going. It’s such a fun song but its message is what I love most about it.”

Elsewhere, keys glow through guitar on the anthemic “Giants,” written and produced by Grammy-nominee Joe London (Lizzo, Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo)…. It builds towards a towering refrain, “Just keep on standing tall and watch the giant fall.”

He goes on, “I was putting myself in the shoes of David against Goliath. How many opportunities did he have to freak out and run away? I don’t know if I would’ve risen to the occasion. The overarching theme is he didn’t let fear dictate his future. We can overcome.”

Then, there’s the piano-driven “Hold Onto Hope.” It issues a reminder, “Better days are coming,” trumpeting an affirmation of optimism over a galloping rhythm.

He reiterates, “When life knocks you down, you gotta get back up. Better days are coming, just keep on holding on to hope.”

“Unbreakable” illuminates another side of the EP altogether. Its incendiary chorus catches fire from a particularly powerful vocal performance. “It’s got some edge to it,” he grins. “This song has grit. It’s a realization that all the hard seasons I’ve walked through haven’t taken me out, they’ve only made me stronger.”

The title track “Canvas” encodes a core message underneath delicately plucked acoustic guitar.

“Life is all about perspective,” he notes. “How we view the various seasons that life has to offer. The twins are such a blessing, and when they came, we realized how precious life is. One thing I’ve noticed is that life is better lived with others. Finding someone who brings out the best in you. Someone who will turn your mess into something beautiful. For me, God has been that constant reminder for our family that we don’t have to walk through this life alone. Every day is a blank canvas to live life to the fullest, and to view the world and the people around us in a new light.”

He’s definitely appreciated every moment of his journey thus far. Colton emerged as a phenomenon after finishing in the top seven on Season 11 of Fox’s American Idol. He delivered a series of fan favorite albums. Landing in the history books, 2013’s A Messenger achieved “the biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act” and catapulted into the Top 15 of the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, not to mention, joining the iconic company of Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel as a Steinway & Sons artist. A year later, Anchor yielded his third and fourth #1 hits on Christian Hot AC with “More of You” and “Through It All.” In 2017, he returned to #1 on the Christian Albums Chart for the third time. Thus far, he has collected a pair of Dove Awards in the categories of “Rock/Contemporary Album” and “Recorded Music Packaging.” Following an invite from the White House, he shined at the 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Plus, he’s performed on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and in the pages of People magazine. During 2022, he made his show-stopping debut at the Grand Ole Opry during 2022, receiving multiple standing ovations.

By sharing himself, Colton ultimately makes a human statement.

“I hope to write music that challenges your thinking,” he concludes. “I’d love to give you some tools in the form of songs to say, ‘If you’re in a dark season, it’s going to be okay, because tomorrow is a new day, a fresh start, a blank canvas. When you press play, I hope that you leave feeling refreshed, encouraged, and inspired.’”