Colton Dixon has a list of accolades, finishing in the top seven on Season 11 of “American Idol,” joining Harry Connick Jr. and Billy Joel as a Steinway artist, winning Dove Awards, performing at the 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and having several top hits on the contemporary Christian music charts.
However, even with all the success in his music career, Dixon knows that he can’t rely on himself to make it through life.
“I feel like whether in music or not, you’ll reach a point in your life where you’ll have to figure this out as well. My job isn’t my source. My title as a dad or husband isn’t my source. It’s who I am in God — the identity that He’s given me,” Dixon said.
In 2020, Dixon not only wasn’t able to tour due to the pandemic, but he had also been dropped by his music label.
“God is our primary source in the Dixon house, whether I’ve got work or not,” he said. “He’s going to take care of us, and He’s going to provide for us as long as we continue to put our faith and hope in Him. That was something we had to learn.”
Priorities
That year was full of ups and downs, but it also included a miracle. In August 2020, one of Dixon’s twin daughters was born without a pulse and wasn’t breathing. The medical team resuscitated her, and she spent a few days in the neonatal intensive care unit before going home.
Dixon has been learning how precious life is and how important it is to put a priority on time with his family. After the twins arrived, he and his wife, Annie, became much more intentional when choosing what to do next concerning Dixon’s career.
“God is teaching me the road-life balance. Every time that I say ‘yes’ to something on the road, that means that I ultimately say ‘no’ to being home with my family. I can say what my priorities need to be, and it’s sometimes hard to get that right, but it’s God first, family second, ministry third,“ he said.
When Dixon first started singing and playing in front of others, he would get caught up in the technical aspects of a performance — worrying about playing the right notes, not forgetting the lyrics and even making sure the lighting was executed as planned.
He admits that there can be “hesitancy or fear involved when stepping out on stage,” but he soon found out that even those times when he “bombed,” he would learn that connection with God and people were more important than the technical aspects.
“Whereas those things are super important and I still care about those things and want to do them with excellence, it’s about connection,” he said.
Hope
Through the years, Dixon has had one main focus with his music — having his songs give hope to believers and nonbelievers, knowing that both the churched and unchurched need it.
“I would love for my music to be a safe place for people to listen, to get filled up,” Dixon said. “Those who have ears to hear will know what I’m talking about, which is faith.
“But those who don’t — maybe they’re not as versed in church culture or whatever — will just think of it as a hopeful song, a song that brings them out of a dark place.”
In April 2023, Dixon released his seven-song project, “Canvas.” The title song is all about what God can do in us.
The first release from the EP, “My Light,” is based on Psalm 119 and is a reminder that no matter how dark the world gets, God’s Word is a tool to illuminate where we need to go.
“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 said.
Montgomery tour stop
Dixon will be joining Jordan Feliz for the “Love and Light Tour,” kicking off in Searcy, Arizona, on Sept. 28. After performing in cities all across the United States, Dixon and Feliz will stop in Montgomery on Oct. 27.
“My music career has done well in the last couple of years, and I’m so thankful for that. I never take that for granted because it’s not guaranteed — I’ve learned that as well. I’ve had some ups and downs in my career.
“I’m always thankful when a song connects — that’s the goal every time,” he continued. “It’s not necessarily numbers on a page to me. It’s how the audience is connecting with what I feel like God has given me to write about. With a song like ‘Build a Boat,’ it’s my favorite part every night at a show, singing that song with so many people who have adopted that song as their own.”
But through all the highs and lows, Dixon keeps coming back to one of the most important parts of his life.
“It’s been an amazing couple of years, but the biggest highlight for sure is the twins.”
To find out more about Dixon’s music and the 2023 tour, go to coltondixon.com.
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