American Idol finalist Colton Dixon is showing his full support to Pinoy pride colleague Jessica Sanchez by performing at the latter’s upcoming Big Dome Valentine concert on February 14. This much-awaited concert date will serve as a highlight occasion in mirroring the success of their respective solo recordings ever since making waves during the 11th season of American Idol.
Colton will release his debut album “A Messenger” here in the Philippines in time for his upcoming concert with Jessica Sanchez. A MESSENGER boasts two singles that both topped the Christian and Gospel Digital Sales. The songs “You Are” and “Never Gone” best represent the album distributed in the Philippines by MCA Music. Their uplifting messages and complementing melodies provide Colton perfect avenues to share his musicality and character.
“Never Gone” in particular sold 21,000 units during just the first week of release. This favorable response made it into an instant success on the iTunes Christian and Gospel Singles chart, Billboard’s Christian Digital Songs, and Christian/Gospel Digital Songs charts. The anthemic “You Are”, which like “Never Gone” also hit the top spot on the said charts, was selected as USA Today’s Song of the Week last October.
“A Messenger”, an album Colton did with a number of notable songwriters and producers, contains 11 tracks showcasing his trademark balance of vocal tenderness and intensity, as well as his energetic piano playing and, of course, his sense of hope and inspiration. He co-penned with mega- producer Busbee (Daughtry, P!nk, Switchfoot, Smash Mouth) “You Are” and the power rock “Noise.” Renowned Nashville-based songwriter Zac Maloy (Daughtry, Plain White T’s) is featured on the power anthem “I’ll Be The Light,” while Dave Bassett (Shinedown) co-wrote with him “This Is Who I Am.” He also asked for help in writing the songs “Never Gone,” and “In and Out of Time.”
“Shape Of Your Love” is added as a bonus track in Colton’s Philippine CD release.
The album aptly titled A Messenger will also be available digitally via iTunes Philippines and Mymusicstore.com.ph
As for Jessica, her runner-up AI finish (a record for someone ‘saved’ by the judges) is equaled with a special “American Idol Season 11 Highlights” EP featuring her voice as delivered through the most memorable of her performances during that remarkable Idol run.
It features five tracks led by her finale song “Change Nothing” which, though generally perceived as inferior to that of Philip Philips’ “Home”, still ends up delightfully representational of her heaven-sent voice. The BluJays, the name attributed to her die-hard fans worldwide, must be agreeing with this.
Perhaps giving the short list its peak point is her powerful take of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”, patterned of course after that famed rendition of the late great Whitney Houston. The other three numbers are her versions of Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering”, and his moving duet with Top three finisher Joshua Ledet for the track “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.”
Catch Pinoy Pride Jessica Sanchez together with fellow American Idol Season 11 finalist Colton Dixon in a special Valentine Concert on February 14, 8 pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Call TicketNet at 911-5555 for ticket inquiries and reservations or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph to buy tickets online.
Brought to you by MCA Music, Ovation Productions and Bench Philippines…