Though label contracts and other uncertainties have slowed his music career over the last six years, Gabe Dixon (center) says it's all been for the best.

Photo by Henry Diltz

Despite much buzz and some high-profile opportunities, the Gabe Dixon Band is not a household name—at least not yet. The piano-based trio first signed with Warner Brothers back in 2002, but received little promotion due to a shift in corporate infrastructure at the label. Aside from a live EP, it took six years for Dixon and his band to gain freedom from his contract and prepare a sophomore album. The group soldiered on thanks to a slew of critical acclaim, plus approval from tour mates like Alison Krauss, O.A.R., and even Paul McCartney (whom Dixon performed with as a session player on the ex-Beatle's 2001 album Driving Rain). Dixon's perseverance seems to have finally paid off in 2008, now that his band has signed with Fantasy Records, a classic label that fostered Creedence Clearwater Revival, among other legendary artist. With his new album finally available, the front man talked with Christian Music Today about his winding career path, his Christian beliefs, and the role his faith has had in pursuing a music career.

How did you get your start in music?

Gabe Dixon: The first time I ever performed in front of people was at church camp, where I went every summer from sixth grade through high school. It was a really supportive environment that let me know I could actually do this. I started playing [piano] and writing my own songs throughout high school. The summer after my sophomore year at college, I started playing at [famed Nashville club] Tootsie's Orchid Lounge for tips. And then back at college [the University of Miami], the guys I was living with offered to play with me, so we set up a show on campus. I started the set by myself, and then brought the band up; the response was so great, we realized we had to keep that up. We played around Miami for a year or so, moved to New York, and within four months, we signed our first record deal.

How did you catch the ear of Warner Brothers in such a short time?

Dixon: We played a show at the Acme Underground and the head of A&R happened to see us and offered us a deal the following day! A month later, we went into the studio to record. But from there, we got into some issues with our label, plus the eventual personal changes, and the deal just fizzled out. It was tough to go through because it all started out so well, but that's why it took so long to get to our second album.

At what point did you end up collaborating with Paul McCartney, and what was he like to work with?

Dixon: Our producer happened to be producing Paul's album Driving Rain in the same studio the following month. He heard me record an organ pass in the studio and came back in and was like, "Man, you're really good! Wanna play on the next Paul McCartney album?" And I was like, "What do you think?"

So that's how it started and I got to spend six weeks recording with him, plus perform with him at the Concert for New York City [following 9/11]. He's a very warm, caring, and funny individual, and not to sound weird, but he's just one of those people who almost seems to glow whenever you're around him. One of the one main regrets I have of not going out on tour with him was because he was such a great guy to be around. I wish I could've hung out more around him.

So why did you turn him down? How do you say no to touring with Paul McCartney?

Dixon: It was not an easy decision, but after the Concert for New York City, my band's record was about to come out and there were a ton of dates booked. All along I really thought it was a great experience to record [with Paul], but I never intended to do anything beyond that. So I was faced with this decision where I felt like I needed to decide what do with life, and I asked myself things like What brings me alive inside? and What am I called to do? I prayed a lot about that decision for sure—prayer is a big part of my life today and always has been. I prayed about it a great deal and tried to listen for an answer, so that when I finally made the decision, I knew it was the right one. I had guidance, realizing that I was given gifts as singer and songwriter, as well as an opportunity with a major record label to follow my bliss.

Obviously you wound up promoting your own project on tour, but what did the band do to stay afloat during the six years between studio CDs?

Dixon: It was very, very frustrating because we were really excited about the album and with touring, but it was ultimately out of our hands—we felt pretty helpless. As I look back on it now, I'm really glad it didn't work out because the road allowed us to really tighten up our sound and our band personnel. It was tough being on the road constantly and not getting support from the label that we needed, but it was so important go through that time to get to this place. I honestly don't know if I was ready at that point to introduce myself to the world.

In what areas do you feel you were lacking?

Dixon: I guess it could've worked out, but we just weren't mature enough as a band. Plus some of us didn't full realize how good we had it [getting signed so soon] and I don't think we were truly grateful for that opportunity at the time. One thing that the experience taught us was we have to be grateful for what we have. This time around we're gonna do it right.

Now you're with Fantasy Records—how did you hook up with such a legendary label?

Dixon: We have a great manager who's stuck with us a really long time. He'd been trying to find us a record label home for a while shortly after we were finally released from Warner Brothers. There were several other labels being considered, but [Fantasy] seemed to get us the most. It was the right people at the right time with the right resources and the right attitude. Plus we feel like we're in good company on the same label as CCR and Vince Guaraldi—sounded perfect to me! On a broader scale, Fantasy is overseen by the Concord Group, which has such a rich catalogue with great jazz artists, plus people like John Mellencamp on Hear Music [under the same company]. I like all their artists, whether they are popular or not, because they have a lot of integrity to their music.

Are you as influenced by Elton John and Billy Joel as you sound?

Dixon: Mostly Elton John, especially from the early '70s. My parents had all the classics in their record collection, so he was seminal to my upbringing. Billy I loved more from hearing his hits on the radio—I still think "Just the Way You Are" is one of the best songs ever written, but for whatever reason, I don't think I ever bought any of his albums. I always preferred Elton for some reason, but both are great and I've been influenced by both for sure. Other influences for me include James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and even some blues guys like Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, and Buddy Guy.

You've also teamed up with Wayne Kirkpatrick (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Phil Stacey) to write some songs?

Dixon: It was kind of a mutual friend who introduced us, and it turned out that we lived about twenty minutes across town from each other, so we decided to toss some ideas around. I've always loved "Change the World" [Kirkpatrick's award-winning hit made famous by Eric Clapton]. We probably wrote five or six times together before coming up with "Ever After You," which made it on the record. I wanted to convey the idea of longing for somebody or something, but also trying to get past a feeling of loss. It could be about a relationship that ended, or someone who passed away, or even [longing for] God, even though some of the verses are a little specific. I thought it would be the perfect song to bring to Wayne, and sure enough, he helped finish it off. I love writing with that guy because he's a genius with some really clever lines and an amazing sense of songcraft.

Some have suggested your best-known song, "All Will Be Well," has a spiritual connotation, inspired by the writings of Julian of Norwich.

Dixon: I sat down at a coffee shop one morning and the lyrics kind of flowed out of me, even though I wasn't at the piano. I was feeling a lot of truth at that moment and I showed it to my mom, who's actually a minister, and she told me the theme was reminiscent of Julian of Norwich. And I was like, "Who?", but then I read a little bit about her life and thought, Hey, how about that?

It's basically about coming to the end of a difficult time, dealing with the fact that the record label dropped the ball, and the band members were all in different states. I was at a point of real questioning, with no idea what was going to happen. Here I was, my career seemingly ready to tank, and yet despite all these external circumstances, I rested on the knowledge that "all will be well." I didn't necessarily know how and it wasn't so much a statement for me as much a prayer—sort of a request and an affirmation at the same time. I've gotten a really strong reaction to this song from lots of people who've said it's given them hope. Everybody goes through times when they feel despair, but [this song] can give comfort to them with the reminder that life goes through cycles, and that there's ultimately a divine plan at work.

You were raised in the church, but I understand you also studied other religions over the years. So what is it that causes you to embrace Christianity?

Dixon: I grew up in the Disciples of Christ denomination. I don't know if I consider myself an authority, but we believe that out of all teachings of Jesus, the most important is the command to love. I went on to high school and college and studied many different religions and faith traditions, but seeing my mom go through a spiritual calling and transformation had a profound impact on me. [She ultimately attended seminary at Vanderbilt Divinity School, becoming an Interim Senior Minister.] I don't get too caught up in the dogma in some aspects of Christianity, but I do believe the way Jesus taught us to live is the most important thing as I continue to my Christian faith. And being a Christian is no easy task. Jesus calls us to do a lot of things that most people who call themselves Christians don't do: Love your enemies, do unto others as you would want them to do unto you, serve the poor, give away everything to the poor and follow him. It's not easy, but the best I can hope for is to live as close to his example as possible.

Did you ever consider pursuing a Christian recording contract and do you listen to any bands from that marketplace?

Dixon: I considered [a Christian record deal] for a minute. The thing is, I want to reach more people than just Christians. The marketing strategy behind Christian music is it's geared specifically towards Christians, which is great, but I want to reach as many people as possible with my music. I really like what Switchfoot does, but otherwise, for whatever reason, I never became fully engrossed in the Christian rock scene. I've always preferred church hymns as my favorite Christian music—there's so much beauty in them.

Are there other examples of your faith manifested in the songwriting on your new album?

Dixon: "Further the Sky" is a meditative type of song with a concept that's contrary to the way the culture's set up—the fact that happiness isn't found in striving for possessions. Of course, "All Will Be Well" has a lot of spiritual undertones and overtones, and I think "Far From Home" does too. I actually started writing that one about Las Vegas at first, but it's really about more than that—it's about temptation, being lost and separated from God. For me, what I love about songwriting is that I can look book on a song that I wrote about one thing, but then realize that it's really about something deeper that I didn't even full intend or understands at the time.

So how do you stay grounded in your faith as an up-and-coming rock star in the mainstream?

Dixon: I don't feel like I'm doing it [all alone] because I have a very strong relationship with my source-with God. I don't feel like I'm entirely responsible for my music because of God, and so the best thing I can do before I go on stage is simply ask for God's love and joy to radiate through me into hearts and minds of people in the audience. That's my goal and that's what I do. So I guess I stay grounded because I don't take the credit!

You can discover the Gabe Dixon Band's music at their MySpace page. Their self-titled project through Fantasy Records is available in stores August 26.

Copyright © Andy Argyrakis subject to licensing agreement with Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.

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