First Time Father featuring Colton Dixon
American Idol's Colton Dixon shares all the joy and chaos of becoming a first time Dad ... to twin girls! Plus the story of his daughters' dangerous delivery that inspired a new level of faith in Colton and his wife's lives.
Transcript
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Mark: What a pleasure it was today to get to meet Colton Dixon. I'd not known of him. Course I've seen him. He's always at the Dove Awards. He's a big CCM artist. But backstage at the Dove Awards is like daycare. They're all so young. And he is young too, he's not even 30 at this interview time, but he's the father of two already, twins.
Andrew: Already twins? They're already there!
Mark: I mean, he's 30 and he's already got twins. That is a lot to take on, boom, all at once. Not, you know, you don't get one and learn how to do it.
Andrew: Try it out.
Mark: Then you get the next one and see if you even like it before you go to the third one.
Andrew: There is no trial period here.
Mark: No.
Andrew: No, it's--
Mark: Boom, wife got pregnant, and the eggs split, and here they are with twins.
Andrew: They are. Yes, you learned that today too, right? They're identical, but they don't look alike because, well--
Mark: The eggs split early. Who knew?
Andrew: That's exactly right.
Mark: If the eggs split early, they won't kind of look alike.
Andrew: Yeah, I'm gonna split your head open. This--
Mark: But that's true though, right?
Andrew: It is true.
So Colton first kinda came into his own on a musical platform through American Idol. Really interesting journey, that he came from this huge, mainstream if you will, platform, but he has made a real mark in Christian music. He's gonna sing for us today, and he's gonna talk a lot about being a first-time daddy.
Mark: And he has a lot of depth. You know, you don't think of millennials as having any depth.
Andrew: I'm a millennial.
Mark: I know. That's what I'm sayin'. But he really does. He knows the Bible and he--
Andrew: But he does! He really does, yeah.
Mark: He does. That's what I just said. Colton Dixon, you're gonna really enjoy this. And there's one seat left at the table, and it's yours. So let's join the conversation.
Mark: Hi, Colt.
Colton: Hi!
Mark: How you doin'?
Colton: Awesome.
Mark: So nice to meet you.
Colton: Pleasure to meet you too. Big fan.
Mark: Oh, well thank you so much.
Andrew: Don't go too far.
Mark: Oh, you hush.
Colton: Don't add fuel to the fire.
Andrew: Yeah, exactly.
Mark: We're so glad to have you, and I hear that you're a new daddy.
Colton: I am. We had twins in August of last year. So in a global pandemic, it wasn't enough for us, so we decided to have twins. Man, it's awesome. Their names are Athens and Dior, and they're just the sweetest little babies.
Mark: And they're nine months.
Colton: Nine months. Yup, so they're crawlin' and climbin' up and wantin' to get into everything.
Mark: I mean, not just one, you start off with two.
Andrew: With two. With a bang.
Colton: With a double bang.
Mark: So is that when you booked the 300-day tour?
Colton: Yeah. Sorry, honey. No. No.
Andrew: The drive-in tour, let's talk about that for a second.
Colton: Yeah. Man, drive-in.
Andrew: How's that goin'?
Colton: Ya know, it's probably the least glamorous tour I've ever done in my life. The people are amazing, which is why it's been a great tour, but if you have not been to a drive-in tour, I would maybe just say, wait.
Andrew: Skip it. They gotta be worn out, audiences have to be worn out. Like I have not been to a drive-in tour yet, and I'm gonna take your advice, I'm gonna skip it. But I mean, what is the reaction? That's what I keep thinkin'.
Colton: It's great. I should say that.
Andrew: Yeah, yeah, come to the next.
Colton: It's great.
Andrew: But I mean, are they flashin' their lights? Or like, how do you know they're in it?
Colton: Yeah. They're honking their horns. And that is as serious as serious can be. You know, I'll say somethin' or we'll finish a song, and instead of applause or cheer, you hear (imitates car horn honking).
Andrew: Like, can I get a witness?
Colton: Yes. It is a little disheartening, if I'm honest. But hey, I'm not gonna complain. I'm playin' shows, so.
Andrew: That's right. It is true, music is a privilege. And of course being a father, a parent, is a privilege. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but you've just experienced your first Father's Day. Now how did that feel thinking like, this is the first time this has come around. Everyone's always celebrated being a daddy.
“Music is a privilege.”
Colton: Yes. Man, it's so strange. It's just strange to look at my kids and go, "I played a part in that." It's wild. But then also the responsibility of that, of knowing my wife and I are their example. So if they don't do well, I know whose fault it is.
Mark: It reflects on you.
Colton: Yes.
Andrew: To some degree, right? I mean…
Colton: To some degree.
Andrew: You can't control that. But you are shepherding 'em-
Colton: You'll get a crazy one every once in a while.
Mark: So which one do you like the best?
Colton: That's a great question. Honestly, it's so, they're so different.
Mark: Are they different?
Colton: They're so different!
Mark: Tell me how they're different.
Colton: Like, they're twins, so I just assumed they would be very similar.
Andrew: Identical?
Colton: Identical. So, I just assumed--
Mark: Can you tell 'em apart?
Colton: We can.
Mark: Okay.
Colton: Without getting too scientific, the eggs split really early, so they kinda took on their own characteristics.
Andrew: Okay, so even though they're technically identical...
Colton: Yeah. Took me a while to fully understand that.
Andrew: Okay.
Colton: But their personalities are so different. They're both very sweet. They smile all the time. But one is very, very busy. She loves, you know, pullin' up on the couch. She's tried to walk already. Lord have mercy.
Andrew: Wow.
Mark: Now was she born first? Or--
Colton: She was second.
Mark: Second.
Andrew: Oh!
Colton: It was C-section, so they were 30 seconds apart. 9:00 PM, I think it was. And the other one, you can sit her down, and she'll be there 30 minutes later.
Andrew: She's full chillin'.
Colton: She's just full chill.
Mark: She's cool.
Colton: Cool.
Andrew: I mean, is that the two of you, in some ways?
Colton: Ya know–
Andrew: Is that you and your wife?
Colton: I'm pretty busy, but I can chill pretty hard too, so. That's funny actually. I haven't really thought who takes after who. Yeah, I think my wife and I both have moments where we can chill, and then if we're doing somethin'...
Andrew: Yeah, you're in it.
Colton: We're in it.
Andrew: So you're productive by nature.
Colton: Yes. Very much so. But it's a blast at the house now.
Mark: You want more?
Colton: Oh, mercy.
Andrew: It's a little too soon, isn't it?
Colton: Someday.
Andrew: I figure if you get two at one, you did your deed.
Colton: 100%
Andrew: You got it all settled in.
Mark: You replaced yourselves.
Colton: Oh my goodness.
Andrew: You replaced yourselves?
Colton: Yeah, anything after this, gosh, I can't think of the comedian's name. I think he had, he's on his fifth kid and he said, "You know, four kids, it's like, we both have one in an arm." Who was this?
Mark: He's Catholic.
Colton: Yes.
Mark: He's blonde-headed. Jim Gaffigan.
Colton: Jim Gaffigan.
Mark: Oh, he is–
Andrew: Thank you for that.
Mark: I love him.
Colton: But he's like, "Having your fifth one is kind of like being in the ocean, each having two kids in your arm, and then someone throws you another child."
Andrew: They just, they drown.
Colton: Drowning. You know? And I'm like, yeah, I could not imagine…
Mark: That's funny.
Colton: More than two right now. So, more power to that guy. But, yeah man.
Andrew: Well, Catholics.
Colton: Someday.
Andrew: I mean, I don't know. I mean you're a Southern Baptist, so there's a stopping point.
Colton: There's a stopping point.
Andrew: Yeah.
Colton: Big time.
Andrew: Tradition with Catholics, right? They have big families.
Mark: Yeah.
Andrew: Because for a long time--
Mark: Well, Mormons, I think, do too.
Colton: Yup.
Andrew: Yeah, but for different reasons, right? Or maybe not!
Mark: They love families. They love big families.
Colton: I'm not sure if the reasons are different.
Andrew: Well, Catholic. Here's a more, yeah okay, anyway. So on a more serious note, I got it, yeah, exactly.
Mark: This is really good.
Andrew: It is good, I know.
Colton: It's very good.
Andrew: We don't know where to go from that. But on a more serious note, you did have two children, you have two children, but from what I understand, your wife's name is Annie, right?
Colton: Correct.
Andrew: Awesome pregnancy, I mean, of course, it's y'all's first time.
Mark: Except one of them was born without a pulse.
Colton: Yeah.
Mark: Tell us about that.
Colton: It was so scary.
Mark: Which one was it?
Colton: It was Dior.
Mark: Dior.
Colton: Like you said, perfect pregnancy. As perfect as a pregnancy can go. She went into labor naturally. All the doctors were super positive about the twins. And it just took a long time, so we had to switch from having a natural birth to C-section kind of last minute. But again, no reason for any wrong signs.
Andrew: Concerns.
Colton: Yeah, none of that. But since that birthing process had begun, Dior was already in the birth canal. So she was in there for a second, so her body eventually shut down. When she came out, she wasn't breathing, had no pulse. Scary. But we had that moment. I'm thankful for good teaching. We had that moment where we both went, "This is it. Faith or fear." Like it's time to practice what we preach.
Mark: Faith or fear.
Colton: Yeah. And that's it. Like when life throws stuff at you, that's the choice you have to make.
Mark: Wow. Can you choose both?
Colton: I wish you could, but I think--
Mark: 'Cause even when you step out on faith, it can be scary.
Colton: It can be. But I think that faith is the absence of fear and vice versa.
Mark: Interesting.
Colton: I think they're polar opposites. But being courageous doesn't mean you're not afraid, it means that you choose to step out anyway.
“Being courageous doesn’t mean you’re not afraid.”
Andrew: Well, it didn't mean you weren't afraid in that moment.
Colton: 100%
Andrew: You both were afraid for the life of your child.
Colton: But it's like, put it this way, when you choose, it's almost like puttin' on the garment of praise. That's why He says to put it on. Because you don't always feel like it.
Mark: Right.
Colton: So when you put it on, it starts to change the atmosphere around you.
Mark: That is really good.
Colton: And change your thinking or whatever, and you start to evolve into that and then you feel like it. It's the same thing–
Andrew: It becomes a more natural response.
Colton: Yeah. So when you choose faith, it doesn't mean you're not afraid in the moment.
Mark: Right.
Colton: But when you continue to choose it, that fear goes down as the faith comes up.
Andrew: So did you feel like you and your wife had exercised that already? Is that why that came so naturally?
Colton: We have. We were both raised in a Christian home. She was born and raised more charismatic than I was. We were talking about this earlier. We were born and raised--
Andrew: You said garment of praise, and I said, that is not the Baptist church…
Colton: That is not--
Andrew: I grew up with.
Colton: No, it is not.
Mark: I love it.
Colton: But it's biblical. Imagine that! There are a few of those things! I was like, bro, we didn't talk about this. But yeah.
So, we've seen God work in our own lives and do miracles in our lives, things that we can't explain in the natural. Even as a Southern Baptist, you know, it's like, hey, that shouldn't happen like that. So we've seen it, and we've heard testimony after testimony, so you're like, okay God, we're gonna take you up on it. And we're gonna go take you at your word. If you did it then, you can do it again. So that's what we're gonna stand on. And we did, and I'm not gonna say that God directly reached into Dior and healed her and brought her back to life; He might've worked through those doctors and nurses. But she's happy and healthy now, and that's what matters.
Mark: Absolutely.
Colton: And we give all the glory to God because of it.
Colton Dixon singing “Miracles”
Ninety miles on the highway
Every day moving so fast
Taking all the wrong ways out
Never saw you coming
Stopping me in my tracks
Keeping me from the long way down
Doesn't matter just how many times I tried
There could only be a single reason why
So tell me
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
You can say the stars align but
I know that it's more than timing
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
Ooh, ooh
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
Some will say it's magic
But I know that You did all that
You're the reason, there's no doubt
Doesn't matter just how many times I tried
There could only be a single reason why
So tell me
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
You can say the stars align but
I know that it's more than timing
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
Ooh, ooh
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
There's no doubt when I feel Your love
Call me crazy and out of touch
But I know that it's from above
Tell me
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
You can say the stars align but
I know that it's more than timing
How do miracles just happen like that
Happen like that, happen like that
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
Ooh, ooh
You can say the stars align but
I know that it's more than timing
Ooh, ooh
Right before I hit the ground some
How You came along and found me
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Mark: So go to abidebible.com to get your copy today.
Andrew: Well, you're talking a lot about how we respond, right?
Colton: Yeah.
Andrew: What we don't have control over, at least what I've experienced in my life, what I do not have control over is, in a large part, my circumstances. Maybe I can make some choices that produce some healthy outcomes, right? But circumstances are thrown at us all day long; everything from our family's health to our own health, to sometimes our finances, anything that is a part of life that can produce fear. We don't always have control over those, but we do have, or I do have, control over how I respond to 'em in the moment. So how do we cultivate a culture of response within us? You know, like if you think about the last year that we've come out of.
Colton: Oh my gosh, yeah.
Andrew: This whole year, worldwide, there were reasons to pause, to have concern, but I'm not sure that we need to collectively freak out all the time, or we don't wanna make a habit of that. We wanna respond, not always be reactionary. Does that make sense?
Colton: Yeah.
Andrew: So how do you produce a culture of that in your own life? And then how do we do that as a society?
Colton: Yeah. This is gonna sound really funny coming from me because I obviously don't work out that much, but I think faith is like a muscle, you know. The more you practice it, the stronger you're gonna become in that area. So when things like a global pandemic happen, your entire world doesn't go to, you know, highway in a handbasket, you know? It's something that you can look at and go, okay, I'm having thoughts right now. I'm gonna let 'em just, in one ear and out the other. I'm gonna take my thoughts captive, and I'm gonna go, okay, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. God comes to give us life and life more abundant, so what category is this in? When you do that, it becomes easier. It's like, "Oh."
“Faith is like a muscle.”
Mark: So the whole year shut down for you too.
Colton: Yeah, it did. Yeah.
Mark: And you were off the road for nine months? A year? Do you remember how long?
Colton: Gosh, it was probably seven or eight months. We did a few drive-in things last fall, just to kind of test the waters.
Mark: Did you do any live-streaming or anything?
Colton: We did a few things. I love technology, but I know my limit at the same time, so I was like, man, I would see some people do it, and it was this elaborate production. And I'm thinking, I'm gonna be using my phone as the audio, so maybe I just shouldn't. Ya know? I did a couple--
Andrew: Oh, Mark would say zoo.
Mark: I would say zoo. I think the people like it.
Colton: They do. They do. Yep.
Mark: Nobody likes it but the people.
Colton: Yep. I know. That's so true.
Mark: But then there are people like Matthew West? He has a big production.
Colton: Oh yeah, he does do his productions very well.
Andrew: He's got more money than all of us.
Mark: He has millions of views. He has what?
Andrew: More money than all of us.
Mark: I don't know.
Andrew: I don't know. We'll ask tomorrow, but—
Mark: We'll ask tomorrow.
Colton: Oh, is he on here tomorrow?
Andrew: Yeah.
Colton: Love it. Tell him I said hello.
Andrew: I am curious, when things are scaled back like that, when you're talking about, okay, this is my livelihood, this is what I'm passionate about, I'm assuming music is something that is a natural expression for you--
Colton: Hate it. I'm just kidding.
Andrew: Five more years, then I'm done.
But so far, that's been where you put a lot of your time into it, your productivity, and you are a productive person, like you were saying. What kind of response does that, let's go back to responses, what kind of response does that elicit in you when it's like, oh, everything I've been puttin' my time and energy into is not possible in this moment.
Colton: Yeah. To be honest, I had gone through a situation just a little over a year prior to pandemic that was similar in a lot of ways. I got dropped by my label. I don't know if you've ever experienced that. Probably not, you guys were always very successful.
Mark: No.
Colton: But I had that moment. It was very random, kinda out of the blue, and I was confused, you know, I'm like, I thought this was a good thing, and all of those questions. Thankful for a godly wife. She's like, "Man, don't think of this as a setback. God's just setting you up for what's next. So have that attitude."
Mark: Not a setback, a setup.
Colton: So good. She could be a preacher.
Mark: That is good.
Colton: But Southern Baptists don't believe in…
Andrew: Sometimes you wanna shut that down.
Colton: Women preachers, so.
Mark: Oh!
Andrew: We can talk about that, can't we?
Mark: Not supposed to.
Andrew: I do, too. I'm fine with it.
Mark: I'm seriously--
Colton: I go to a church where there's a woman pastor, and I love it.
Mark: I love it. Women, you know, I mean, they know how to put it into words. But anyway.
Colton: But so in that season, I kinda had to learn that, oh man, my career is not my source. You know? And my salary from the business is not my source. God's my source. And He did, He found a way to get money to us, regardless if it was through shows or no shows, or a label or no label.
So when the pandemic hit, I'd already been through a season of learning where my hope and faith and trust comes from, and yeah, it made it a little easier, but then it was also just a huge blessing in disguise, being home with my wife who was pregnant.
Mark: Oh yeah.
Colton: Getting to be at home every day with my babies for the first five months. It was amazing.
Andrew: Yeah, what a gift. Yeah.
Colton: But on the music side, I went from having a band to no band, which was crazy. I've always loved rock music, and I've done the rock band thing for a long time, but I've been transitioning into more of a pop thing. So I took that opportunity to go, how can I make this work with just me? So it allowed me to really dive into, I don't know if you guys are familiar with what Ed Sheeran does at a live show?
Andrew: Oh yeah.
Colton: He shows up with an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal, and it sounds like a band is on stage with him.
Mark: Wow.
Colton: So I'm like, okay, how does he do this? So I jumped into that, and that's kinda what I do now. I show up and I've got a drum station here and a keyboard station here, and I build the song as I go, and it's something unique and fun.
Mark: How cool.
Colton: And I wouldn't have been able to do that if I didn't have time.
Andrew: Sure.
Mark: There you go.
Colton: But I had time. So it's with anything.
Mark: And the overhead. Now let's just talk from a business standpoint.
Colton: Yeah, come on.
Andrew: You gotta start saving some money for those girls.
Mark: For me, it's like a microphone and a stool, and I'm set.
Colton: Yeah.
Mark: That's all that I need.
Colton: Oh my gosh.
Mark: And you will be able to save.
Colton: No kidding.
Mark: For your children.
Andrew: You'll be able to afford shirts like these.
Mark: Yeah.
Colton: I know. Man, I was admiring that shirt earlier.
Mark: I'm gonna tell ya. Target.
Andrew: Target. Me too!
Colton: Man, I'm still in that Walmart stage. I'll graduate to Target one of these days.
Andrew: It's coming.
Mark: It's a step up.
Andrew: Your thirties decade is coming. By the end of that, you're good.
Okay, well, talk about staying home with your girls. Tell me how your perspectives have changed. You know, I can't think of anything more motivating or pure than having to take care…
Mark: Or life-shattering.
Andrew: Of someone else. That could be in any stage of life. But being entrusted with life. So how has that changed your perspective, just as a person?
Colton: Man, my wife and I both, when I got married and then when I had kids, I'm like, man, I am so selfish. I'm just a selfish human being. You don't realize that until you're having to take care of someone else and you're having to be interrupted. Just being willing to be interrupted is a huge thing for me. Whenever I'm in the zone doing something, I won't eat. If I'm writing, whatever, I'll get the song done at all costs, I'm just that person. My wife has to make me eat. But with kids, they're kids. They're babies, you know? There's no discipline at this age. They're figuring out--
Mark: You haven't beat 'em yet?
Colton: No, I have not. My wife wouldn't let me. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. They're just the sweetest you can be.
Andrew: Like when they cry and you just pick 'em up and drop 'em so they know how it feels. I mean, like on their bed.
Mark: Oh Lord.
Colton: Mercy. I've not done that, Annie, I promise.
But just that knowing I'm gonna be interrupted and being okay with that took me a second. I had to be okay with it, come to terms with it. But it just made me realize, oh, I like to do things my way, or I have my preference or whatever. So if anything, having kids and getting married, it's taught me to, I've heard it put this way: If you wanna be more like Christ, get married. If you wanna do more for the Kingdom, stay single. And I'm like, whoa!
Andrew: Interesting.
Mark: Whoa. Who you been listenin' to? They're good.
Colton: I don't remember who said that. I wish I did.
Mark: That was a good one. I'll take that one.
Colton: Yeah, take it. Heard it first, Mark Lowry. But--
Mark: No, I just love that idea 'cause Paul even said that.
Colton: That's exactly right.
Mark: How is it making you more like Jesus, you think? How has marriage done that? And then how've the children expanded that? Do you think--
Colton: Just to know how Jesus' relationships was for the church, He laid His life down for the church, and knowing that as a man, that's my role for my wife. And that doesn't just look like, you know, if someone pulls out a gun--
Mark: You jump in front of it.
Colton: Right. That doesn't just--
Andrew: 'Cause you're not gonna do that.
Mark: No, no.
Colton: We both dodge.
Mark: That's right. "Duck, baby, duck!"
Colton: No, but it's like that on a daily basis as well. It's like, hey, you put her before yourself. And that's what Jesus did. So even with my kids, the relationship that God has with us, He would do anything for us. And we have access to Him and all that He has.
So just knowing, they're not asking right now, hallelujah, although diapers for two, come on. It can get expensive. But there's nothing I wouldn't do. And even just being out on the road, it's been a new season for my wife and I; she's normally out with me, but now she's not. We've got help with her parents, but knowing like, I'm out here for you guys, you know, and there's a grace and a purpose in that, in knowing I may not be with you on a daily basis right now, but I'm still doing what I do for you. And it really brings a lot of peace and comfort for my wife and I.
Andrew: It also changes, like you were talking about when you lost your label deal and kind of feeling like, you know, the floor fell out from underneath you in that moment, what am I gonna do about my career, et cetera. It seems it gives you perspective from just that when you're out on the road, when you're making music, when you're in front of people, it's not just about amassing and achieving, and it now has this new filter of, this is also how I'm providing. That puts new purpose in it. You know, if it's just about what I can build for myself, this is for any of us.
Colton: Yeah, yeah. 100%. And that's a really scary place to be, especially in our industry. That's when it becomes very easy to become jaded or bitter, when it's about you. And that's, again, one of the things that being married and having kids has taught me. It's like, it ain't about just me anymore or my preferences. But onstage like, yeah, providing for my family has brought a new sense of purpose. But if before then it was all about me, then I was missing it anyway. I learned real quick that, man, when I show up expecting to be served, I would always leave, you know, not full. The crowd wouldn't respond the way I wanted to or they wouldn't jump when I wanted them to jump, or…
Andrew: Honk.
Colton: Headbang. Or honk, or whatever. But I'm like, no, no, no, I'm here to serve them. That's why they're here. Sure, they want a good show, but if I show up on empty and I've got nothing to give, I'm doing them a disservice. So realizing that early on has helped me a lot. But you're right, having this new sense of purpose and going, hey, I not only get to pour into other people, but I'm also providing for my family.
The Faithful Project
Mark: Women have been very important in my journey to know Jesus. First of all, my mother, who would tuck me into bed at night and tell me God's gonna use me. My grandmothers were so important to me. And then some of the women in our church, like Dolores Sims. You've never heard of her, but she would always woo me to Jesus.
And did you know that women were the first ones that learned that Jesus had risen from the dead? And then they went back, told the men, the men didn't believe it 'til they saw Him for themselves. But women have been very important in the message of the gospel, and this new project called Faithful, which is a CD and a book.
Andrew: Yeah, there's so many of our good friends and people that you have read their literature or you have heard their music, people like Amy Grant and Kelly Minter and Ginny Owens, Sandra McCracken, Sally Lloyd-Jones, Trillia Newbell, there's so many wonderful authors and artists, and here's the cool part: They all got together to write about the women of the Bible and then write songs about how women are a part of continuing to share the story of the gospel all throughout history into today. But the artists and the authors combined efforts, so artists, musicians were writing some of the chapters and authors were helping write some of the music, which I think it's just this shared experience to say that the telling and sharing of the gospel, the story of God, is written in each of our lives to share and tell to others.
Just like you, when I think about who first shared the real nuts and bolts of the gospel, it was women. And so this Faithful Project celebrates that, highlights that, and offers an opportunity, not just for women but also for men, to be invited into that conversation as well. To learn more about the book and the music project called Faithful, go to faithfulproject.com.
Visit Dinner-Conversations.com for DVDs, CDs, and more!
Mark: Did you know that at dinner-conversations.com we have a store? We have been around long enough to produce products--
Andrew: That you want.
Mark: You want this. A Dinner Conversations mug to hold your eight ounces
of coffee in the morning.
Andrew: It's not big.
Mark: And then, one if you wanna look at us. See how intellectual I look with my glasses.
Andrew: You look like you're judging me.
Mark: Well, I am. It gives me that intellectual look.
Andrew: We also have DVDs full of all of our episodes and a bunch of bonus content you can't find anywhere else. We've got the Season One DVD with all kinds of guests, like Sandi Patty and Chonda Pierce and Point of Grace. And we've got the Season Two DVD set. I mean, these are tons of discs. Kathie Lee Gifford, Montell Jordan, Scott Hamilton, Amy Grant. And you know what else we have?
Mark: What?
Andrew: We have the Songs from the Set CD, where we sing a little bit together, but also you'll hear a lot of songs from people like Russ Taff and the Isaacs, some of our very favorites. You can find all of that at dinner-conversations.com.
Colton Dixon singing “Made to Fly”
My daddy always told me hold your head up high
It's just one moment, in all of time
If you can't see it, just close your eyes
And believe it, it's all inside
So keep on keepin' on 'til the walls come down
Reachin' higher 'til your feet don't touch the ground
Get the power of praise flowing out your mouth
Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom, look to the sky
'Cause hope is waiting on the other side
Sing hallelujah by and by
Don't stop at walking when you were made to fly
Mama always showed me, there's more to life
Than copper pennies and silver dimеs
So rest your head, child, it'll be alright
Just keep knocking and ye shall find
So keep on keepin' on 'til the walls come down
Reachin' higher 'til your feet don't touch the ground
Get the power of praise flowing out your mouth
Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom, look to the sky
'Cause hope is waiting on the other side
Sing hallelujah by and by
Don't stop at walking when you were made to fly
So keep on keepin' on 'til the walls come down
Reachin' higher 'til your feet don't touch the ground
Get the power of praise flowing out your mouth
Lemme hear ya
So keep on keepin' on 'til the walls come down
Reachin' higher 'til your feet don't touch the ground
Get the power of praise flowing out your mouth
Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom, look to the sky
'Cause hope is waiting on the other side
Sing hallelujah by and by
Don't stop at walking 'cause you were made to fly
Sing hallelujah by and by
Don't stop at walking 'cause you were made to fly
Don't stop at walking when you were made to fly
Andrew: Go back to parenting, go back to becoming a father, becoming a parent. What about single people in the world? Do they have a role in any way of parenting or being in the lives of the children of the world?
Colton: You mean like single, say like my wife and I have friends who are single…
Andrew: Sure.
Colton: And then we get married, have kids, and they're still single people?
Andrew: Sure.
Colton: 100%. They remind us what it used to be like to have fun. Kidding.
Andrew: I'm sure that makes you a better person.
Colton: No, they absolutely do. One of our best friends is a guy who teaches at Lipscomb University. And he's just awesome. But he comes in and it's a different perspective on life. Life's all about relationships and perspective. And when you're in your own perspective and you're looking at things a certain way all the time, you miss out, and so it's good to broaden that. Again, that's another Baptist thing that they may or may not agree with, but--
Andrew: Broaden your perspective?
Colton: Yeah. It's good to--
Mark: To let different viewpoints come in. Not to be afraid…
Colton: 100%
Mark: Of your Buddhist neighbor or your Buddhist neighbor, you know, whatever.
Colton: Yeah, have conversation. Doesn't have to change your moral compass or your beliefs, but it's sad when we don't open that up and we keep it for ourselves. Not saying that mine is better than theirs, but just they could have something that could rock your world.
Mark: Right.
Colton: You know, it's like, oh wow. Like that's so cool. So we always try to be open, and we just love people. People are awesome. I think they really are. They can be not awesome sometimes, sure.
Andrew: Sure.
Colton: But yeah, we love people, and so we want to extend the same type of attitudes--
Mark: So, in 10 years, you'll be almost 40.
Colton: 40. 40-years-old.
Mark: Where do you want to be at that age? Where would you like to, where do you see Colton Dixon?
Colton: I mean, I'd love to be in Hawaii when I'm 40.
Mark: On vacation.
Colton: Retired. Man, that's such a good question. Sure, I have goals and aspirations, and like, my girls will be almost 11, you know. They will be 11 when I turn 40. It's so funny when you have kids how your goals change, or they kinda evolve. Sure, I would like to be at this point in my career and doing really well being successful, but going back to people, my mission with music is to leave people better than they were when they pressed play. You know? Or when they walk in the door at a show, I want them to leave better and more inspired and encouraged. And my kids, I'm so excited to see my girls, and if we have another one by the time I'm 40, help us. But I'm so excited to see them mature and to see them grow, and it's also a lot of responsibility. My wife and I are their example, you know? So it's--
Mark: Well, you're gonna blink.
Colton: And it's gonna be there, I know.
Mark: And you're gonna be walking them down an aisle.
Colton: Ooh! Don't wanna think about it.
Mark: Think about that. You're gonna blink.
Colton: Mercy. Golly.
Mark: Don't blink.
“Don’t blink.”
Colton: I know.
Mark: Keep the eyes open.
Colton: I know it, man. But yeah, long story short, I'm taking it one season at a time and trying to enjoy all the little moments.
Andrew: Being present.
Mark: Yes.
Colton: Yeah. But who knows. Who knows what God has for me. He's been my world.
Mark: I hope that your wife and kids can travel with you soon.
Colton: Me too. We've talked about it. This fall is a fairly easy church--
Mark: Wouldn't that be fun to come off that stage and they are on the bus waitin' on you?
Colton: It would be amazing. Amazing.
Andrew: Would it?
Mark: Yes.
Colton: Oh, I thought there was more to that question.
Andrew: No, that's it.
Colton: Yes.
Andrew: I was just thinking infants on the bus--
Colton: I think most of the time it would. It's so funny, we've toured with people in the past who have brought out very, very young kids. And when it's your bus, go for it. When you're sharing a bus…
Andrew: Right. Think of others.
Mark: Right. Right. I wouldn't do that.
Colton: Think of others.
It's been great. But we're also aware.
Mark: You also think, everybody will love my children.
Colton: Of course you think that. Of course you think, oh my kids are the best kids to ever walk the face of the earth.
Mark: I've rarely seen one I didn't love. I mean, I don't know that I've ever seen a child I didn't think I'd be crazy about.
Andrew: Ya never hated a kid?
Mark: I like kids. I love kids.
Colton: They're just so fun, man.
Andrew: Their perspective--
Mark: And if they're real young and they haven't started talkin' yet, you smell their head and that's what Heaven smells like.
Colton: Oh! Isn't it the best? I completely agree.
Mark: I think it's what Heaven smell– And I think they come mute because if they could talk, they could tell us what God's like. They gotta forget how to talk.
Colton: I like that.
Mark: I've gotta forget God, before He lets 'em start talkin'.
Colton: That's funny.
Mark: Don't put any of that in the tag--
Andrew: There's so much theology in that.
Colton: I know that that theology will stand true.
Andrew: Yeah, that may be Baptist theology.
Mark: I'm writing a new book of Mark.
Andrew: I think I heard that in Sunday school.
Mark: I'm writin' a new book of Mark.
Colton: That's funny.
Mark: What? What does this mean?
Colton: Here. There ya go.
Andrew: Thank you.
Colton: You're welcome.
Mark: Thank you for watching Dinner Conversations. Don't forget to subscribe, and then ring that bell and get all notifications.
Andrew: And don't forget to like us or dislike us.
Mark: No, no, no.
Andrew: Nah, don't do that. Leave comments, talk about what's resonating in your life from these conversations. And join us next time for Dinner Conversations with…
Mark: Mark Lowry
Andrew: And Andrew Greer
Mark: Turning the light on…
Andrew: One question at a time.
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