Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jessy Dixon rose to prominence in gospel music by crafting some of its most enduring compositions. Displaying an early aptitude for songwriting, he relocated to Chicago while still a teenager in hopes of building a career. Singer James Cleveland soon identified his gifts and committed several of Dixon’s pieces to record. Growing recognition led to acclaimed live performances, after which Dixon joined Paul Simon’s band for touring engagements; their association persisted through contributions to Simon’s following two albums. With Andrae Crouch serving as producer, Dixon issued the debut single “It’s All Right Now,” a modest hit whose momentum carried into later releases and established him among the era’s leading gospel figures. The 1993 single “I Am Redeemed” became his signature success, holding a place on the Christian charts for nearly five years. Alongside his own recordings, Dixon supplied songs for Amy Grant, Natalie Cole, Cher, and Diana Ross. Appearances in Bill and Gloria Gaither’s video and concert series generated further collaborations with the couple. Through 2001 he sustained a steady presence in the gospel field, issuing albums and maintaining a rigorous touring schedule of hundreds of dates each year.
