Colton Dixon Biography
Who is Colton Dixon?
Michael Colton Dixon, born October 19, 1991, in Murfreesboro, TN, is an American singer-songwriter known for his contributions to the Christian music genre. He gained national attention as a finalist on the eleventh season of American Idol in 2012, finishing in 7th place.
Dixon first auditioned for American Idol in its tenth season alongside his sister Schyler but did not advance to the Top 24. He returned the following season initially to support his sister, but after encouragement from the judges, he auditioned himself. Performing David Cook’s “Permanent,” Dixon earned a golden ticket. While Schyler was eliminated early, Dixon advanced to the Top 13, gaining momentum with his performance of Paramore’s “Decode.”
Following American Idol, Dixon signed with Sparrow Records and released his debut album, A Messenger, in 2013. The album topped the Billboard Christian Albums chart and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200. His second album, Anchor (2014), also debuted at No. 1 on the Christian chart, driven by the popular single “More of You.” In 2015, he released The Calm Before the Storm, combining his acoustic EP Calm with the remix EP Storm. His third studio album, Identity, arrived in 2017 and again reached No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.
In 2020, Dixon transitioned to Atlantic Records and worked with producers including Robopop and Busbee on his self-titled EP, Colton Dixon. His 2022 single “Build a Boat,” featuring Gabby Barrett, topped multiple CCM charts and became one of his most successful radio singles. The song, along with “My Light,” appeared on his 2023 EP, Canvas.
Since 2020, Dixon has also released several non-album singles that have extended his radio presence. “Up + Up” became a Top 10 Christian radio hit, while “Rest of My Life,” released in 2024 and featured in the film Sight, marked a return to a more cinematic sound. He followed with “The Love I Have for You” in 2025, which charted across multiple Christian formats. In 2026, Dixon released “In Spite of Me,” continuing his pattern of standalone singles alongside EP projects.
Dixon's career is characterized by his ability to blend rock, electro-pop, and Christian music, establishing him as a notable figure in contemporary Christian music.