Colton Dixon has only been in Toronto a few hours but he already likes what he sees. “It’s beautiful,” he says, moments after appearing on Global Toronto’s The Morning Show. “I’m impressed. It’s very high fashion around here. I’m loving it.”
The 20-year-old native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is in Canada for the first time ever as part of the American Idol Live! tour. The seventh Top 10 finalist to get voted off the popular show last season, Dixon says he’s enjoying his time on stage.
“We’re getting to put faces to the votes that came in on the show. It’s crazy to see all the support we have in the various cities,” he says. “I don’t think any of us realized how big this opportunity really is until we’re out on the road and we’re seeing all the support.”
Dixon, who was favored to win the competition, was sent packing a night after he appeared to brush off the judges’ criticisms of his rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
“I said something to the effect of, ‘I don’t really care what the judges had to say and I went out there and did my thing and had fun doing it.’ It sounded terrible on TV. I watched it back and thought, I shouldn’t have said that,” he admits. “That, and song choice, killed me that night.”
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Dixon says Idol was an invaluable learning experience. ” The biggest thing anyone can learn from the show is always be yourself,” he says. “You see contestants go through the show and they’re trying to fit a mold or play the game and then they put out a record that sounds nothing like what they did on the show. Sometimes that turns fans off. So just always be yourself.”
He acknowledges that contestants are subject to creative editing and manipulation by producers. “It’s a give and take but at the end of the day it’s your decision. The producers can fill your head with as much nonsense as they want but it’s your call and sometimes you need to give in to get some TV time.”
Dixon says even though on tour he’s allowed to sing an original song, “Never Gone”, he’s anxious to start showcasing his own sound. “I’m dying to get on stage and have a set of solely my songs,” he says. “We’re getting there, slowly but surely.”
The singer says he’s got a recording deal waiting for him after the Idol tour is done next month. “I’m so excited. It’s cool to see all these pieces fitting into the puzzle after the show.”
Dixon describes the material on his first album as a blend of rock and pop. A devout Christian, he intends to make “faith-based music” without alienating a wider audience. “Maybe encouraging music that people can listen to when they’re having a rought time,” he explains. “I’m excited to get this underway and see how people react to it.”
Can he maintain his Christian values in the immoral world of rock ‘n’ roll? “With me, God’s always first, in decision-making and in my morals,” he replies.
But can he maintain his unique hair styles? “Today’s a hat day,” he laughs. “It’s actually pretty easily managed. Straightening it is the hardest part. After that it’s free to do whatever it wants.”
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