From the very beginning singing in the choir, Colton Dixon was setting himself apart from others, and later on in life he decided to run on American Idol. He decided to serve God through music and by helping millions of people across the globe.
Life for him has been going very well, with many albums and accolades, but the life you see today was a result of many sacrifices, controversies, discouragement, and many allegations.
Let’s take a look at Colton Dixon’s life.
Colton Dixon: Early Life & Achievements
Michael Colton Dixon was born on October 19, 1991, to parents Michael and Teresa Dixon.
He is an American singer and songwriter, raised in a middle-class family in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, along with his younger sister Schyler.
His father is the owner of a face painting and airbrush company.
Besides his time as a choir member in high school, he was an extra for the filming of Hannah Montana: The Movie.
In 2010, he graduated from Middle Tennessee Christian School.
He was invited to sing at a number of churches and blessing ceremonies, including Saddleback Church. He famously performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2011.
Colton Dixon first came to the public’s attention when he competed in America Idol in 2012.
The guitar-playing, golden-maned Dixon’s theatrical vocals, and upfront spirituality were enough to secure a seventh-place finish, and it didn’t take long for the charismatic rocker to land a record deal.
During his audition on American Idol, he was loved by many people. Many “American Idol” viewers were shocked when singer Colton Dixon left the show, placing seventh. However, he seemed surprised by the results.
Speaking to Yahoo after his elimination, Colton claimed that his choice to sing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” hurt him in the long run and revealed that he probably upset his fan base.
“I strayed too much from who I am. I would not have chosen ‘Bad Romance’ if I had to do it over again, just because I think the meaning behind the song is not something that I necessarily connect with,” Colton explained. “I don’t know why I didn’t catch that.
I think a lot of my fans were shocked that I chose that song. Nothing against the song or Lady Gaga–she’s got a thing going on that’s cool–but it’s just not me, who I am as an artist, and I think I let a lot people down with that…Just for me and who I am, what I stand for, it would have been smart to choose a different song.”
The Miracle
Colton Dixon, an American idol finalist, shared his experience about how the work of God was awe-inspiring and inspired him to write a song about a personal journey through faith.
Colton said God let his daughter come back to life. He and his wife, Annie, welcomed their twin daughters in August of 2020.
He said they were excited when they were making their way to the hospital. After waiting there for 30 hours, doctors told him that his wife would need a caesarian section to deliver the babies. They proceeded with the operation. However, when his first daughter came out, she was not breathing. She remained in the birth canal for too long.
“And at that moment we had that decision to make. Faith or fear,” he continued.
His wife then suggested that they pray, believing that “God is still in the business of doing miracles.”
So, they prayed, and the miracle was provided by the Almighty. He said: “We watched as the amazing doctors and nurses and God, of course, brought our daughter back to life. It was the longest minute and a half of our lives but we are so thankful,”
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The singer released his song “Miracles”. It features Michael Jade, who co-wrote the song with him and was created during a difficult period of his life. He was jobless at that time, having dropped by his label and clueless about his future. But his wife encouraged him that changed his outlook.
This was a great lesson to the couple that you should talk to God in times of trouble.
Musicians and artists work through tough times to end up with some of their best content. This is why we need to treasure the journey and never give up. Going through trials also builds our faith and helps us grow stronger as individuals.
he said that he is looking forward to what God will do in their lives as they walk in faith.
After he was eliminated, Dixon appeared on various shows. 2012 was a big year for him, He performed a rendition of “Everything” by Lifehouse on Live! with Kelly. He then re-appeared on Access Hollywood, was invited to the White House Correspondents Dinner as a special guest of the Christian Broadcasting Network, and started dating Annie Coggeshall.
In the same year, he made his return to The Ellen DeGeneres Show when he performed “Piano Man” by Billy Joel with the help of a female backing vocalist.
His debut album, A Messenger, quickly rose to number 15 on the Billboard Top 200 and number one on the Christian albums chart. After raising the stakes with Anchor in 2014 with his follow-up, Jericho garnered considerable success with this album. It topped the Christian charts and spawned radio hit “More of You,” which was later followed by tours with major artists like TobyMac, Casting Crowns, and Third Day.
In 2015, Dixon released The Calm Before the Storm; an EP combining two previously released EPs: the all-acoustic Calm and a set of remixes called Storm. His third album on Sparrow, Identity, debuted at number one on the Christian albums chart. In the same year he became engaged, and in 2016 he married his long time girlfriend Annie Coggeshall.
Tennessee-born Dixon signed to Atlantic Records and took part in writing sessions in L.A. for his major-label debut. Producers including Robopop and Busbee were among the contributors to Colton Dixon’s of 2020, which included Lana Del Rey and Andy Grammer.
Dixon released many more songs including the famous “Made to Fly in 2021” & Build a Boat in 2022.
Controversy and allegations
Not very long ago, Christian singer-songwriter and American Idol alum, Colton Dixon made headlines over his beliefs about waiting until marriage to have sex.
Dixon married his long-time girlfriend Annie Coggeshall after three years of dating in Nashville, Tennessee.
The coupled waited until they tied the knot before becoming intimate.
In an interview with People, Dixon shared the reason of his decision:
“It was not easy!” said Dixon. “But I believe sex was designed for marriage and I knew it would be more meaningful to wait. That was something I grew up thinking and feeling, and I believe the Bible backs it up as well.”
and his then girlfriend, Annie said, “It wasn’t because someone was telling me this is what you should do.”
“Deep down in my heart it felt like it was the right thing. And we’re really glad we did. We know God’s hand is on our marriage,” she said.
In 2012, Dixon shared his testimony on CBN News and how he admires other Christians who openly share their faith.
“Some people see Christians being courageous in secular spaces and want to be the first to criticize them without hearing them out. Take Tim Tebow,” he said. “You know he’s taken a huge stance and people are wanting him to mess up and I hate that because we’re just like everyone else, and we’re human, and we’re going to mess up, but it gives me the drive to not and to set a good example.”
Conclusion
Colton Dixon is a versatile Christian rocker with a soaring voice who topped the Billboard Christian albums chart with his debut album, 2013’s A Messenger. Following an appearance as a finalist on American Idol, many new Colton Dixon fans have emerged.
Combining rock and electronic pop, he landed on the electronic and dance albums chart for the first time with Storm, his remix EP in 2015.
Following three Christian number-one albums, his major-label debut took the form of a more pop-oriented Colton Dixon album.
He and Schyler are members of a Christian rock band, Messenger.
He is a true Christian, who sings and lives by what he says.
So, let us know in the comment section what do you think about Colton.