'American Idol' Dixon sings original song

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DETROIT, July 8 (UPI) -- "American Idol" alum Colton Dixon said he is singing an original song during the show's summer tour, only the second non-winning finalist to do so.

Dixon, who finished seventh in season 11 of the musical competition, told Billboard.com he had "no idea how this opportunity presented itself" to play his song "Never Gone" on the the tour, which kicked off Friday in Detroit.

"It's perfect for arena rock, which is why we threw it out there. Hopefully I'll have the audience singing along with me by the last chorus every night," he said.

Dixon said the song is firmly rooted in his Christian beliefs, but doesn't think it will alienate those who don't listen to Christian Rock.

"It's like one of those things when you're a kid and you're in the dark and you want to turn the lights on just to make sure everything is where it needs to be," he said. "It's kind of the same thing, personally, with me and God; I want to make sure he's always there, and he always responds with, 'I never left.' So it's just that cool picture. It brings comfort and hope. And if you're not a believer, it can be whatever you want it to be."

There are talks that Dixon could co-write music with season 11 winner Phillip Phillips while on tour throughout North America, The Hollywood Reporter reported.