‘American Idol’ Contestant Colton Dixon Signs Record Deal, Announces First Single [VIDEO]

It was obvious from the very beginning that Colton Dixon was a frontrunner of the most recent season of American Idol. When he was shockingly eliminated and set to seventh place in the competition, Idol audiences everywhere were stunned and heartbroken. Well he took what he was given and it seems as though things are working out in his favor.

After finishing the Idol's Live! tour, where he was one of the favorite acts and was the only artist to play original music, Colton went straight to work. He announced that he has signed with EMI/CMG (that’s Christian Music Group) under Sparrow Records. Former Idol alum Mandisa is also signed with this label.

He is expected to release his debut album in February of 2013, with his first single dropping next month. The single "You Are" is said to be a praise and worship song. Dixon has never wavered from his faith and expressed his desire to become a Christian artist once Idol was over. The song, 'Never Gone,' which he has been performing on tour will hit iTunes on September 25.

Colton Dixon was a fan favorite two seasons ago on Idol, when he was cut just before the top 24. The judges urged him to come back and try again because they saw so much talent. While he didn't originally plan on taking their advice, he did and sailed right through the competition. He was deemed as one of the season's "heartthrobs" along with winner Phillip Phillips. He had never been in the bottom three until the unfortunate week he was eliminated. He earned high praise from the judges for his rendition's of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and his creative version of the Eminem/Rihanna smash "Love The Way You Lie."

Colton is not the first contestant who didn't finish with the 'Idol' title, but has seen his career take off. Chris Daughtry, Mandisa, and Adam Lambert have each had HUGE careers despite not winning. We have not doubt Colton Dixon will make the most of this opportunity and will be making girls everywhere swoon for a very long time.

Click on the video below to hear his debut single 'You Are.'