Michael Colton Dixon (born October 19, 1991) is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He placed seventh on the eleventh season of American Idol.[3]

Colton Dixon
Background information
Birth nameMichael Colton Dixon
Born (1991-10-19) October 19, 1991 (age 33)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres[1][2]
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keytar
Years active2010–present
Labels
Spouse
Annie Coggeshall
(m. 2016)
Websitecoltondixon.com

Early life

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Colton Dixon was born Michael Colton Dixon on October 19, 1991,[4][5] to parents Michael and Teresa Dixon.[6] He was born and raised in a middle-class family in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, along with younger sister, Schyler.[6][7] His father runs a face painting/air brush company, and his family has a Jack Russell dog named Ozzy, and a cat named Chloe.[6] Besides being a choir member throughout high school,[8] In 2008, he was an extra during the filming of Hannah Montana: The Movie.[8][9] He graduated from Middle Tennessee Christian School in 2010.[7] He is a devout Christian,[10] and has sung at several worship services including at Saddleback Church.[6] He and Schyler are part of a Christian rock band called Messenger.[1] He released his debut album A Messenger with EMI-CMG/Sparrow Records on January 29, 2013.[2][11] His musical influences include Paramore, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Lifehouse, Evanescence, Switchfoot, Skillet, and The Fray.[8] His song 'Build a Boat' was credited by Billboard as the 7th best Christian song of 2023.

American Idol

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Overview

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Colton Dixon originally auditioned in the tenth season, along with his sister Schyler, at the Nashville auditions. However, neither of them ended up in the Top 24.[12] Dixon performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 3, 2011.[10]

Dixon returned in season 11, but he did not plan to audition, initially planning to merely accompany his sister Schyler to her audition.[13] The judges implored Dixon to audition as well, where he sang David Cook's "Permanent". Both he and Schyler were awarded golden tickets.[14] Schyler was cut yet again during the Las Vegas round, which brought her to tears.[12]

On his final judgement performance, Dixon performed Coldplay's "Fix You" and dedicated it to his sister, Schyler. On February 23, 2012, Dixon was placed in the season 11 Top 25. In the semi-finals, he performed Paramore's "Decode". He was one of the top five male vote getters and advanced into the Top 13.[15] Guest performer on the Top 13 Results night and runner-up of American Idol season 10 Lauren Alaina named Dixon and fellow contestant Jessica Sanchez as her two favorites to win the competition.[16] His elimination on April 19, 2012, was considered a big surprise[3] because he had never been in the bottom three.

Performances/results

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Episode Theme Song choice Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Permanent" Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 1 First Solo "Only Hope"
Hollywood Round, Part 2 Group Performance Not aired
Hollywood Round, Part 3 Second Solo "What About Now"
Las Vegas Round Songs from the 1950s
Group Performance
"Dedicated to the One I Love"
Final Judgment Final Solo "Fix You"
Top 25 (13 Men) Personal Choice "Decode"
Top 13 Stevie Wonder "Lately" Safe
Top 11 Year They Were Born "Broken Heart"
Top 10 Billy Joel "Piano Man"
Top 9 Their Personal Idols Solo "Everything"
Trio "Landslide" / "Edge of Seventeen" / "Don't Stop"
with Phillip Phillips & Elise Testone
Top 8 Songs from the 1980s Duet "Islands in the Stream"
with Skylar Laine
Solo "Time After Time"
Top 7 Songs from the 2010s Solo "Love the Way You Lie"
Duet "Don't You Wanna Stay"
with Skylar Laine
Top 71 Songs from Now & Then "Bad Romance" Eliminated
"September"
  • ^Note 1 Due to the judges using their one save on Jessica Sanchez, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.

Career

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2012–14: Post-Idol and A Messenger

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Following his elimination, Dixon appeared on various shows. He performed a rendition of "Everything" by Lifehouse on Live! with Kelly on April 23, 2012.[17][18] He treated Access Hollywood viewers to a reprise of the same swan song.[18] He had a guest appearance on the Today Show on April 24, 2012.[19] He came back to The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform Billy Joel’s "Piano Man" on April 26, 2012.[20] Dixon and fellow contestant Elise Testone performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 27, 2012.[21] He was invited to the White House Correspondents Dinner as a special guest of the Christian Broadcasting Network on April 28, 2012.[22] He also started collaborating with Brandon Heath.[23] He debuted an original song called "Never Gone" at the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012. Colton says he wants his debut album to feature "faith-based music" without alienating a wider audience.[24]

He released the original song he performed on the Idol tour, "Never Gone", on iTunes September 25, 2012, which is included on his debut album. Never Gone debuted at number one on the Christian Digital Sales chart. His debut single entitled "You Are" hit U.S. radio airwaves on October 19, 2012, and was released on iTunes on October 30, 2012. This was his second consecutive song to reach number one on the Christian Digital Sales chart. It also became a Top 10 hit on both the Christian Airplay chart and Hot Christian Songs chart.[25] On January 3, 2013, Dixon led the song "Jesus Paid It All" at the Passion 2013 Conference.[26] On January 29, 2013, Dixon released his album A Messenger through Sparrow Records,[27] which sold 22,000 copies in its first week.[citation needed] It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200, number one on the U.S. Christian Chart and number one on the U.S. Gospel Chart.The debut album was both a commercial and critical success.[citation needed] Dixon and Jessica Sanchez held a concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila on February 14.[28] Dixon and Josh Wilson are supporting Third Day on The Miracle Tour, the tour started on February 21, 2013, in Fairfax, Virginia and ends on May 19, 2013, in Orlando, Florida. Dixon's sister, Schyler, was also on the tour for some dates.[29] Dixon appeared on the twelfth season of American Idol on March 28, 2013, on the Top 8 results show singing his new single "Love Has Come for Me" . Love Has Come for Me reached 28 on the Christian Digital Sales chart. [30] The tour will end in California per Third Day.[citation needed] He went on the Hits Deep Tour with TobyMac in November and December 2013.[31]

Dixon re-released A Messenger on January 7, 2014. This expanded edition of A Messenger included remixes and tracks included in special store editions of the original album. [32]

2014–15: Anchor and The Calm Before the Storm

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It has been announced that he plans on releasing his second album in the summer of 2014.[33] The lead single, "More of You", was released to iTunes on June 24, 2014. It was a big hit as it reached number 9 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and number 5 on the Christian Airplay chart. It also reached number 2 on the Christian Digital Sales chart. On June 19, 2014, Dixon revealed that his sophomore studio album would be titled Anchor and would be released on August 19, 2014, along with the album's artwork. In anticipation of the album two promotional singles were released Our Time Is Now and Dare To Believe. Our Time Is Now reached 45 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and 33 on the Christian Digital Sales chart. The lyric video has over 900,000 views on YouTube. Dare To Believe reached 38 on the Hot Christian Songs chart while also reaching 19 on the Christian Digital Sales chart. After the albums release two single were subsequently released titled Through All Of It and Limitless. Through All Of It was yet another big hit. It reached 11 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and number 6 on the Christian Airplay chart. The music video has gained 4 million views on YouTube. Limitless the third singles from Anchor reached 21 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and 18 on the Christian Airplay chart. Anchor was yet another successful album by the young artist. It debuted at 23 on the Billboard 200 and debuted at number one on the Top Christian Album chart. It was a commercial and critical success. [34]

On July 26, 2015, Colton announced via Twitter that he will participate in This is Not a Test Tour with tobyMac and Britt Nicole.[35] An album, The Calm Before the Storm will be released on September 11 that will contain dual EPs, Calm, a collection of acoustic songs and Storm, a compilation of remixed tracks, that will contain songs from A Messenger and Anchor, including versions of "You Are", "Never Gone" and "More of You".[36]

2016–2020: Identity

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Dixon released a single, "All That Matters", on January 13, 2017, and his new album, Identity, was released on March 24, 2017.[37]

 
TobyMac- The Hits Deep Tour

Personal life

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In 2012, Dixon started dating Annie Coggeshall. They became engaged in September 2015, and wed on January 8, 2016.[38][39] In February 2020, they announced they were expecting their first child, expected in autumn.[40] On August 16, 2020, they welcomed twin daughters.[41]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[42]
US Christ
[43][44]
US Gospel
[43]
US Dance
[45]
A Messenger 15 1 1
Anchor
  • Release date: August 19, 2014
  • Label: EMI CMG/Sparrow/19
  • Formats: CD, digital download
23 1
The Calm Before the Storm
  • Release date: September 11, 2015
  • Label: EMI CMG/Sparrow/19
  • Formats: CD, digital download
44 11
Identity
  • Release date: March 24, 2017
  • Label: Capitol CMG/Sparrow/19
  • Formats: CD, digital download
73 1

Extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US Christ
[44]
US Dance
[45]
Calm 25
Storm
  • Release date: September 11, 2015
  • Label: EMI CMG/Sparrow/19
  • Formats: Digital download
42 13
Colton Dixon
  • Release date: May 15, 2020
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
32
Canvas
  • Release Date: April 28, 2023
  • Label: Capitol CMG/Sparrow/19
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
US
Christ.

[51]
US
Christ.
Airplay

[52]
US
Christ.
AC

[53]
US
Christ.
Digital

[54]
2012 "You Are" 10 12 1 A Messenger
2013 "Love Has Come for Me" 28
"Jingle Bells" 49 21
2014 "More of You" 9 5 8 2 Anchor
2015 "Through All of It" 11 6 10 9
"Limitless" 21 18
2017 "All That Matters" 17 15 18 15 Identity
2020 "Miracles"[56][57] 14 6 8 14 Colton Dixon (EP)
"Let It Snow" 35 non-album single
2021 "Made to Fly" 34 31
2022 "Build a Boat" 1 1 1 1 Canvas (EP)
2023 "My Light" 19 13
2024 "Up Up" 15 4 4 non-album single

Promotional singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions Sales Album
US
Bub.
US
Christ.

[51]
US
Christ.
Digital

[54]
2012 "Never Gone" 13 24 1 A Messenger
2014 "Our Time is Now" 45 33 Anchor
"Dare to Believe" 38 19
2017 "Brand New Life"[citation needed] Identity
"Down"[citation needed]
"The Other Side"[citation needed] 42
2020 "The Devil Is a Liar" 41 Colton Dixon (EP)

Other charting songs

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Year Title Peak chart positions Sales Album
US
Christ.

[51]
2013 "Scars" A Messenger
"Let Them See You"
"This Is Who I Am"
"I'll Be the Light"
"Rise"
2014 "The Shape of Your Love" 44 A Messenger (Expanded Edition)

Music videos

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Title
"Never Gone"
"More of You"
"Through All of It"
"All That Matters"
"The Other Side"
"Miracles"
"Made to Fly"
"Can't Quit You"
"Up Up"

Awards

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Year Category Result
2013 New Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (A Messenger) Won
Best Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year ("Never Gone") Nominated
2015 Best Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Anchor) Won[60]
2023 Song of the Year ("Build A Boat") Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (2010-07-18). "Colton and Schyler Dixon: 'American Idol' Nashville contestants". Idol Chatter. USAToday.com. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  2. ^ a b DiMattina, Lindsey (2012-04-20). "Colton Dixon: 'I'm Honored' to be the Tim Tebow of 'Idol' Exclusive". TV. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  3. ^ a b Wenger, Stephanie (2012-04-20). "Ousted 'Idol' Contestant: Swan Song 'Between Me And My Lord Savior Jesus Christ.'". TV. Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
  4. ^ Halperin, Shirley (2012-03-15). "'American Idol's' Colton Dixon Sings Hair-Metal Hit; White Lion Frontman Praises Performance, Lays Into Steven Tyler". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ "Idol finalist Colton Dixon signs major record deal". HULIQ. 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  6. ^ a b c d Basheda, Lori (2012-03-01). "Dog howls for American Idol's Colton". News. OCRegister.com. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  7. ^ a b Williams, Samantha E. (2012-04-11). "'Team Dixon' gathers to watch hometown 'Idol'". News. DNJ.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  8. ^ a b c AmericanIdol.com. "Colton Dixon - American Idol". AmericanIdol.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  9. ^ "American Idol 2012 Finalist: Colton Dixon". The Shows. TVGrapevine.com. 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2012-04-27.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ a b Wetpaint Entertainment Staff (2012-04-19). "Who Is Colton Dixon? American Idol Season 11 Contestant Background Info". American Idol. WetPaint.com. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  11. ^ "'American Idol' Alum Colton Dixon to Release Debut Album in January". The Hollywood Reporter. 2012-12-18.
  12. ^ a b Sciarretto, Amy (2012-01-18). "Siblings Schyler and Colton Dixon Earn Second Chances on Season 11 of 'American Idol'". Pop. PopCrush.com. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  13. ^ Mansfield, Brian (January 18, 2012). "The return of Schyler and Colton Dixon". Idol Chatter. USA Today.
  14. ^ "Colton Dixon Biography". Celebrities. The Hollywood Gossip. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  15. ^ Slezak, Michael (2012-03-01). "American Idol Recap: Season 11's Top 13 Are…". Reality TV. TVLine.com. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  16. ^ Hermon, James (2012-03-10). "'American Idol's' Lauren Alaina on Who Will Win Season 11 (Video)". TV. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  17. ^ Williams, Samantha E. (2012-04-20). "'Idol' Dixon looks forward to Murfreesboro homecoming". News. DNJ.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  18. ^ a b Boyer, Matthew (2012-04-25). "American Idol 2012: Colton Dixon Performs "Everything" On Media Tour". American Idol. AmericanIdolNet.com. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  19. ^ ContactMusic.com (2012-04-24). "Colton Dixon Dusts Himself Down After 'American Idol' Exit". American Idol. ContactMusic.com. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  20. ^ Santilli, MJ (2012-04-27). "The week in 'American Idol': Top 5 to take on British theme, Carrie Underwood promotes new album and more". Inside TV. EW.com. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  21. ^ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Idol's Colton and Elise (VIDEO)". TV. Hulu.com. Retrieved 2012-04-28.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ Brandow, Kim (2012-04-29). "Colton Dixon a Special Guest at the White House Correspondents' Dinner". Celebs. Gather.com. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  23. ^ "BREATHEcast :: News :: Colton Dixon Wrote with Brandon Heath Today". Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  24. ^ Fiest, Reid (2017-12-07). "Global News | Latest & Current News - Weather, Sports & Health News". Globaltvedmonton.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ [1][dead link]
  26. ^ "Passion Conferences". live.268generation.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Colton Dixon signs record deal with Christian label Sparrow Records - Zap2it". Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  28. ^ Cana, Paul John (15 February 2013). "Jessica Sanchez wows in Manila concert". Rappler.com.
  29. ^ "Josh Wilson's Single "Carry Me" Available on iTunes No". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  30. ^ Sorich, Sonya (2013-03-28). "American Idol results March 28: Devin Velez eliminated, Colton Dixon and Katharine McPhee perform | Columbus Ledger-Enquirer". Ledger-enquirer.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  31. ^ "Colton Dixon". Facebook. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  32. ^ "Colton Dixon - A Messenger: Expanded Edition out January 7th!". Facebook. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  33. ^ "'American Idol' to Winter Jam: Colton Dixon sees himself as 'A Messenger' (video)". AL.com. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  34. ^ "Colton Dixon reveals album cover, set to release new single next week | Idol Chatter & Voice Views". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  35. ^ "TobyMac Announces Colton Dixon for 'This is Not a Test' Tour; Singer Joins Britt Nicole & Newcomer Hollyn [DETAILS] : Music". BREATHEcast. 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  36. ^ "American Idol's Colton Dixon Releases Two EPS "Calm" and "Storm" : News : Hallels". Archived from the original on 2015-07-27. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  37. ^ "'American Idol' Alum Colton Dixon Drops New Song 'All That Matters': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  38. ^ "American Idol Alum Colton Dixon Is Engaged!". People.com. September 11, 2015.
  39. ^ "Colton Dixon Marries Annie Coggeshall: American Idol Alum Weds in Nashville". People.com. January 9, 2015.
  40. ^ Juneau, Jen; Leon, Anya (February 13, 2020). "American Idol Alum Colton Dixon Expecting First Child With Wife Annie: 'We're Ecstatic'". People.com.
  41. ^ "American Idol Alum Colton Dixon and Wife Welcome Twins Ava Dior and Athens Elizabeth". PEOPLE.com. August 22, 2020.
  42. ^ "Colton Dixon Album & Song Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  43. ^ a b "Colton Dixon Debuts at #1, Breaks Soundscan Records • mjsbigblog". Mjsbigblog.com. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  44. ^ a b "Colton Dixon Chart History – Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  45. ^ a b "Colton Dixon Chart History – Top Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  46. ^ Colton Dixon. "Colton Dixon - A Messenger - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  47. ^ "Colton Dixon Signs Major Recording Deal". American Idol. September 6, 2012.
  48. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2013-05-15). "'Idol' sales: Seven singers in the Billboard 200". USA Today.
  49. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on September 3, 2015.
  50. ^ "Colton Dixon's 'Identity' Debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  51. ^ a b c "Colton Dixon Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  52. ^ "Colton Dixon Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  53. ^ "Colton Dixon Chart History (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  54. ^ a b "Colton Dixon Chart History (Christian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  55. ^ a b c d e f Mansfield, Brian (2013-02-06). "Colton Dixon debuts at No. 15 on The Billboard 200". USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  56. ^ "JFH News: Atlantic Records / Hear It Loud Sign Colton Dixon". JesusFreakHideout. January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  57. ^ "Miracles (Single) by Colton Dixon". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  58. ^ "American certifications – Colton Dixon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  59. ^ "Phillip Phillips' 'American Idol' return means big sales boost". USA Today. 2013-03-20.
  60. ^ "Colton Dixon Honored With Dove Award For Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year — the media collective". Themcollective.com. 2015-10-14. Archived from the original on 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
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