Colton Dixon, now 21, was a contestant on Season 11 of American Idol.  Even with Dixon's surprising elimination from the Top 7, he had already established his new career.  The Murfreesboro,TN native released his debut album, A Messenger on Jan. 29 of this year and his singles "You Are" and "Never Gone" have both hit #1 on the Christian charts.  

As Dixon is preparing for his American Idol performance in LA, he graceiously took the time out for a BREATHEcast interview to discuss his return to the Idol stage, his quick rise in Christian music and some of his musical heros.  

BREATHEcast: How has The Miracle Tour been going with Third Day?

"It's amazing.  It's such an honor to be sharing the stage with Third Day and Josh Wilson.  I've been a big fan of Third Day for a long time, my dad is like a #1 fan of Third Day (laughs).  They are just all great guys who are doing the Lords work and it's just great to be a part of it."

BREATHEcast: What have you learned from being on the road with a veteran band like Third Day?

"A big thing for me that I've wanted to grow in is my articulation and speaking skills when I'm on stage.  I'm kinda weird in that I would rather sing and play piano in front of 10,000 people rather than speak in front of 10 people, thats just kinda the way I'm wired (laughs).  It's been amazing to see how Mac can really control a crowd and get them in the right mindset, prepare them for a song or even just getting them involved with the music and clapping or whatever.  It's been really awesome to watch them do that and I am appreciating learning from them.  It's just one of many things that I've am learned while being on tour with them."  

BREATHEcast: (I interviewed Josh Wilson last week, said you guys met first day on the bus and shared love for video games) How has it been sharing a bus with Josh Wilson and getting to know him better?

"We do, we have the PS3 hooked up in the bus right now actually (laughs).  Josh is a great dude, glad we are sharing a bus together.  I've learned a lot from him too, he is a phenomenal guitar player, and just a great guy."  

BREATHEcast: What's life been like since your album A Messenger released? 

"It's been great to see the reception of the record.  Coming off the heels of (American)Idol you never know how you are going to be accepted in the Christian music world, I've seen it go both ways.  Very happy that it's been a positive response that I've seen so far.  Good to see that "You Are" has been connecting and resonating with listeners of Christian radio.  It's always a great song to play on the tour, kids sing along and get plugged into worship.  It's just been really great.  I've been extremely busy with the tour but it's been a blessing to see how God has been using this record and using this tour to really get plugged into peoples lives."  

BREATHEcast: How are your emotions as you get ready to hit the Idol stage again? 

"I am extremely excited, so stoked to know that I won't be in the bottom 3 tonight (laughs), so thats a sigh of relief right there.  It's gonna be fun, I'm a little nervous just to see what everyone thinks.  It will be Christian music on the Idol stage, I've done it before and I can definitely do it again, but its a lot different whenever you are singing your own music.  I'm really excited to see what people will think."

BREATHEcast: So what song are you performing on Idol tomorrow?

"I actually am not allowed to divulge that information, my label would kill me (laughs).  I will say that the song I am doing is going to be my next single at Christian radio.  So it's going to be cool to see what the fans and radio programmers think.  It's definitely leaning on more the up tempo side, so there is definitely going to be a lot of energy coming from the stage tomorrow night."  

BREATHEcast: How did it feel to see Angie Miller perform your song, "Never Gone" on AI?

"First of all, she did a phenomenal job.  I still can't believe that it all happened so fast, it really just felt like I was on the stage yesterday and now a new season already and someone is singing one of my songs, it's just crazy, I can't even wrap my head around it.  It's cool to see what God is doing with this record and the different avenues He has been plugging it in.  So stoked for Angie, she has been doing so well and yea, like I said, she absolutely killed it.  Excited to see what she will be doing in the future."  

BREATHEcast: Would you ever want to be a full time judge on American Idol?

"(laughs) I don't think I'm qualified.  The paycheck does not sound too shabby (laughs).  Man, I don't know, it's never gonna happen, well I'm not gonna say never, but yea, (laughs) we will cross that bridge when it comes.  We'll talk about that deal whenever the offer is on the table."

BREATHEcast: What is a behind the scenes story from American Idol that the people watching would never expect?  Either with the production of the show or the judges?

"The contestants are just constantly busy, but I'll tell you a funny story.  The contestants are really kind of crash test dummies with new products.  It could be hair products or make up for the girls, stuff like that.  But i remember walking into the Idol green room and there was Phillip Phillips sitting in a chair.  He was getting a pedicure while getting a mud mask on his face.  He was enjoying it but i could tell he was miserable with all the cameras in his face, it was the funniest thing (laughs).  I remember poking fun at him and he was like,  "Keep laughing man, you're next" and I was like I don't think so, but I ended up having to do it to.  Also, just the amount of hours we put in.  The contestants are drug everywhere.  Whether its an interview, photo shoot, recording a song for iTunes or doing one of the Ford commercials, it's really just a 24/7 job.  Everyone just happens to love what they do which makes it bearable, but it is an intense process and that is something that I was not expecting going into it." 

BREATHEcast: Do you keep in touch with anyone from American Idol?

"Yea, we all keep in touch pretty well actually.  If someone has something going on, they will group text us and we will catch up every once in a while.  I'd say the person that I was closest to was probably Phillip just because we have similar interests.  He was a believer as well so we were able to connect on that level.  We were trying to do the same things just with different genres of music.  He was just a great, humble guy and we try to keep in contact as best as we can with our busy schedules.  Phillip actually just announced a tour with John Mayer, so I'm a little jealous right now.  I'm gonna be one of those guys begging for backstage passes (laughs).  They are all doing really, really great.  It's cool to see the different avenues that music is taking them."

BREATHEcast: If you could collaborate with 1 Christian Artist and 1 secular Artist, who would you choose?

"That is so hard (pause).  Man, I would love to collaborate with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (I interrupt, "That is exactly what Josh Wilson said too).  I actually just met him not too long ago, he's such a rad dude.  He promised me a surfing lesson so I'm looking forward to that (laughs).  On the secular side (pause), I think doing something with Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars would be amazing.  Doing something with Coldplay would be amazing too.  Man, so many good artists.  I would say between those two artists."  

BREATHEcast: What's coming up with touring?

"Hitting the festivals this summer after this tour is up and writing a lot this summer.  We don't have a fall tour nailed down full yet, but we are working on it."

BREATHEcast: (question from our facebook page) What do you do when you get overwhelmed? How does you de-stress?

"Well like you mentioned early, Josh and I like video games, so if ever i need to detox for a minute thats a great way.  Movies are a great way to escape but really just the main thing is just staying in the word.  I'm on the road with a great group of guys in my band that keep me accountable and constantly remind me to stay in the word as they are as well.  It's just good to have those people there.  If something is stressing me out or I need to vent about something, they are always there.  Even my family at home, it's just great to have those people surrounding you to keep your feet on the ground moving forward."