When Colton Dixon released “Build a Boat,” he had no idea the impact the song would have on the world, or his career. The song, from his latest Canvas album, released in April, spent ten weeks at the top of the Christian charts, holding the record for the song with the most time in the No. 1 spot for 2022.

For all of its success, Dixon never imagined that country music superstar Gabby Barrett would join him for a new version of the hit single, a collaboration that Dixon still can’t quite believe happened.

“I’ll be honest, that had to have been all God,” Dixon tells Everything Nash. “‘Build a Boat’ was inspired by the story of Noah. This song, came from Sweden; it already existed, and they allowed us to rewrite it from Noah’s perspective. I just love Noah’s faithfulness in that story. Before he saw anything, before he saw the promise, he said, yes. And I think that’s all God wants from us is a yes. So when life throws me curve balls, or He asked me to do something crazy, I want to have Noah faith. So that’s what inspired the song.”

Dixon was in the Top 7 on the 11th season of American Idol in 2012, while Barrett landed in the Top 3 of the 16h season of Idol in 2018. For Dixon, it seemed like a far-reaching dream to get Barrett to sing on ‘Build a Boat’ with her, which is why he was so surprised when she agreed to the duet.

“We had reached out to Gabby,” Dixon recalls. “My wife and I watched her and her husband on American Idol, funny enough. She already had the song on her playlist, agreed to do the song, and really just elevated it to what it was, what it’s now.”

Dixon may have been surprised that Barrett agreed to join him on “Build a Boat,” but the mother of two was thrilled to combine her talents with the Christian singer.

“I respect Colton’s creativity as an artist and was already a big fan of ‘Build A Boat’ before he reached out to collaborate,” Barrett previously said when the song was released. “These lyrics really hit me, and it’s such a blessing to be a part of this new version and to be able to honor our Lord in this way.”

“Build a Boat” was nominated for a K-LOVE Fan Award, for “Song of the Year.” The K-LOVE Fan Awards will air on Friday, June 2, at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM on TBN. They will also stream on the TBN app. Find more information on all of the Red Street Records artists here.

Dixon will be joined by Jordan Feliz for their The Love & Light Tour, taking place this fall. Find Canvas, “Build a Boat” and all of Dixon’s music and upcoming shows at ColtonDixon.com.