Colton Dixon

Colton Dixon, recognized as a versatile Christian rocker possessing an expansive vocal range, reached the pinnacle of the Billboard Christian albums chart via his initial full-length outing A Messenger in 2013 after advancing to the finals of American Idol. His fusion of rock with electro-pop elements produced a first appearance on the dance/electronic albums chart through the 2015 remix EP Storm. Three prior Christian chart-topping albums preceded his major-label bow, the more pop-focused Colton Dixon EP issued in 2020. The Canvas EP, which included the enormous CCM smash “Build a Boat,” surfaced in 2023.

Born October 19, 1991, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the singer and songwriter first drew widespread notice during season 11 of American Idol in 2012. The guitar-playing, golden-maned Dixon’s theatrical delivery and overt spirituality resonated sufficiently to yield a seventh-place result, after which the compelling performer quickly obtained a recording contract. Sparrow Records released the ensuing A Messenger in 2013, whereupon it climbed to number 15 on the Billboard Top 200 while claiming the top Christian albums slot. With expectations heightened, 2014’s Anchor duplicated that achievement on the Christian chart, driven by the hit single “More of You.” Concert treks alongside TobyMac, Third Day, and Casting Crowns further broadened his reach as a live draw. Dixon issued The Calm Before the Storm in 2015, uniting the previously available acoustic EP Calm with the remix set Storm. His third studio album, Identity, arrived on Sparrow early in 2017 and restored him to number one on the Christian albums chart.

The Tennessee-based Dixon subsequently joined Atlantic Records and joined writing sessions in Los Angeles. Contributors to the 2020 Colton Dixon EP encompassed producers Robopop (Lana Del Rey, Andy Grammer) and Busbee (P!nk, Adam Lambert). “Build a Boat” appeared in 2022, climbing to the summit of multiple CCM charts and generating a duet version with country star Gabby Barrett. “My Light” followed in early 2023, with both tracks featured on the Canvas EP released that April.