Colton Dixon signs record deal with Christian label Sparrow Records

"American Idol" Season 11 finalist Colton Dixon, whose early ouster during Top 7 week shocked many fans, has been signed to Sparrow Recordings. The singer announced in a YouTube video that the ink has dried on his contract and an album is coming later in 2012.

"I am beyond excited to say that I have signed with EMI CMG/Sparrow Records as my record company," he says in the video. "Gosh, I can't believe this is happening. I will have a record out really soon."

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If you can't wait until the undetermined future date for Dixon's album, you can buy "Never Gone," the original tune he's been performing on the "Idols Live" tour this summer, on iTunes starting Sept. 25.

As for the new album, Dixon says the first single is called "You Are" and will hit radio stations shortly. "It's a worship song that I started writing probably a year and a half ago with some friends," he says.

Dixon told Zap2it before the "Idol" tour that his album would be full of edgy Christian music. "We're definitely planning to release [an album] by the end of the year, and it's gonna be in the Christian world," Dixon said. "It is Christian music, but not your typical contemporary Christian music. It's very artsy and edgy, which I love about it. It's very creative."