A Life of Triumph
Jessy Dixon is a man who is living a life of triumph. Hell be the first to admit that he is a blessed individual. At a point in his career when many would simply rest on past laurels, Dixon is an individual who recognizes that there is still more work to be done and more lives to touch and reach with the Gospel.
Dixon was just a teenager when he wrote the lyrics and music for The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling, also known as Sit At His Feet and Be Blessed. In doing so, Dixon established himself as a premier traditional Gospel artist and songwriter. His recording of the song on Savoy Records earned him his first Gold Record.
That accomplishment firmly established Dixon at the forefront of traditional Gospel music. The talented vocalist couldnt seem to produce enough albums to satisfy fans; however, the vivacious young singer certainly tried. In fact, he produced four recordings in a single year, and followed his first hit with the recording A Child of God, which earned him his second Gold Record.
As music lovers longed for more Dixon recordings, they also desired to see Dixon in live concerts, as well. This, however, presented somewhat of a challenge for the singer, as Dixon wanted to make certain the quality of his recordings would be duplicated in his live performances. Dixon recordings always featured the famed Chicago Community Choir, and since it was impossible to take a 50-voice choir everywhere Dixon traveled, the innovative musician found the three best female singers in Chicago and those vocalists became known as the Jessy Dixon Singers. Those vocalists recorded the album entitled I Know What Prayer Can Do, and achieved international success with two hit singles, the title cut, as well as "I Love To Praise His Name." As a result of the success of the album, Dixon and the Jessy Dixon Singers traveled throughout the United States, Africa, India, Japan, the Carribean, Europe and Scandinavia. Dixons new found popularity also led to invitations to perform at such prestigious locations the Apollo Theatre, Carnegie Hall, the International Jazz Festival in Nice, France and the famed Newport Jazz Festival. During that infamous performance at the Newport Festival, Dixon received an unprecedented four encores, a first in Gospel music history. Many of Americas most popular secular artists were in the audience that day, including Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel fame. Simon was so impressed by Dixons performance, he invited Dixon to tour with him throughout the US, Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and New Zealand for the next eight years.
One of Dixons first European appearances with Paul Simon was at Londons Royal Albert Hall. Following that performance, Londons Front Row Reviews newspaper stated, "The applause was deafening when Paul Simon introduced Jessy Dixon and the Jessy Dixon singers . . It was breathtaking. Nothing could follow it, only a total change of pace. So Simon vacated the stage to allow Jessy Dixon and the Jessy Dixon Singers to turn the concert into the nearest thing to a Southern Gospel meeting that Ive ever witnessed on British soil." (Gordon Lightfoot-Reviewer)
During Dixons years with Simon, the two appeared on the first Saturday Night Live Show and recorded two more albums, which achieved Gold Album status, "Live Rhythm" and "Still Crazy After All These Years."
The successful musical whirlwind Dixon was in continued to blow and expand. In the midst of the success he was enjoying with Paul Simon, Dixon produced a recording for the Light Record Company that garnered him Contemporary Gospel acclaim, as well. The recording contained the song "Its All Right Now," and immediately the song soared to the top of music charts around the world. That song was followed by six additional hits from that same recording.
Just as Dixons vocal ability was garnering success, his songwriting ability was also gaining recognition, as well. In fact, Dixons songs were starting to be recorded by such recognizable names as Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford, Diana Ross, James Cleveland, Cher, Mahalia Jackson, Marian Williams, Amy Grant, Point of Grace and Sandi Patty to name a few.
Dixons recordings have now earned him four gold albums, seven Grammy nominations and many other awards, honors and accolades. The prestigious Count My Blessings Gospel Institute has proclaimed Dixon as "Gospel Artist of the Century," and Dixon was also named "The King Of Gospel" by the US Herald Tribune International Newspaper.
Dixon is also recognized worldwide for his prolific songwriting ability. Just a few of the countless hits penned by him include "My God Can Make A Way," "Hes Done Great Things For Me," "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling," "Theres No Failure In God," "Its All Right Now," "I Expect To See Him" and "I Am Redeemed," quite possibly his most noted hit. Dixons original recording of this legendary song on the Ambassador Records label stayed in the Top 10 on Gospel music charts for a record-breaking five years, taking its place beside Thomas Dorseys "Precious Lord Take My Hand." The song remains one of Gospel radios most requested, and was recently proclaimed Gospel Song of the Decade, having been recorded by such popular artists as Jimmy Swaggart, The Canton Spirituals, The Chicago Community Choir and the Bill Gaither Homecoming artists, just to name a few.
Dixon delights in taking the Gospel message everywhere. The popular singer has a large following in the Carribean, Ireland, Canada, Brazil and South Africa. His concerts in Canada, Spain, India, Romania, Africa, Australia and Poland are just a few places outside of the United States where Dixon appears each year. Today Dixon is featured in over 200 concerts a year in the US and abroad. He has made Gospel music history, having done more concerts in Europe and Scandinavia than any other artist
Dixon has also enjoy numerous television appearances throughout the past three decades, with appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Robert Townsend HBO Comedy Special, as well as numerous televised Billy Graham Crusades. Additionally, he co-starred with Ray Charles at the Blues Festival in Birmingham, AL, and even co-hosted a Country Gospel Television special with legendary country singer Dottie West at the historic Grand Ole Opry. During that special evening Dixon met Randy Scruggs, son of the legendary bluegrass singer Earl Scruggs. Randy and his songwriting partner John Thompson were so impressed by Dixon that the pair wrote "Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary," especially for Dixon. The song has become one of Dixons most requested.
In addition to television and concert appearances, several years ago Dixon also added acting to his list of many talents. While touring in England, Dixon met pop singer Cat Stevens, who invited Dixon to perform with the famous actress, Susannah York in the Broadway play "Peace Child." Dixon delighted at the opportunity. He thrilled audiences and critics with his performance. In fact, following that performance, Dixon was offered the lead role in the Broadway Production of "Purlie." Dixon turned down the offer as he felt the content conflicted with his Christian beliefs. Instead he accepted the lead role in the Broadway/European production of "Black Nativity," a Langston Hughes play, in which he received rave reviews. Dixon continues to tour with this production each year.
In the early 1990s, legendary singer/songwriter and Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Bill Gaither invited Dixon to appear on one of his popular Homecoming Video Series, entitled "Precious Memories." That appearance led to a long-time friendship between Dixon and Gaither. Dixon quickly became a favorite among Gaither Homecoming fans and followers. Since the late 1990s, Dixon has been a regular on the Gaither Homecoming Video and Concert Series. He shares the stage with Gaither and fellow Homecoming artists in arenas nationwide each year. The videos featuring Gaither, Dixon and fellow Homecoming artists have sold more than a million copies worldwide and are regularly featured among Billboard Magazines Top Video Sales Chart.
No doubt, Jessy Dixons life has been filled with triumph, yet he also confesses that challenges have been encountered, as well. Nevertheless, Dixon says hes thankful for each step along the journey, and the privilege of proclaiming the message of the Gospel. "Its been like a dream," Dixon states as he sits in a Nashville, TN, recording studio with producer and friend Bill Gaither recording a new project, to be released later this year. "The greatest joy of my life is to bask in the love of the One whom this Gospel music is all about. He has redeemed me, and Im going to say so. Im a living testimony that dreams do come true." Yes, dreams do come true and triumphs abound for this faithful servant.
