Ivan Parker Biography
Ivan Parker is an American Southern Gospel musician born on 21st December 1957 in Sanford, North Carolina United States. He is a former lead vocalist of Gold City, as the lead vocalist he was named Favorite Lead Vocalist by Singing News (1988 – 1993) and also Favorite Male Vocalist (1989 -1995; 1997). In 1993 he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Ivan was saved at age 9 in his daddy’s church in Sanford, when an evangelist preached a fiery sermon on the rapture of the church and heaven. “I remember that night well,” he said. “I was sitting on the back row with all my friends. When the invitation was given, I couldn’t get to the altar fast enough. My mom and dad had always told me that whenever it came to salvation, I couldn’t get to heaven on their experience – I had to have my own.” This decision that Ivan made at age 9 stayed in the forefront of his mind, even though he admits that he made a lot of mistakes along the way. “But I knew Jesus loved me and had His hand on me. I didn’t know what God had planned for my life; I just knew I wanted to sing.”
Ivan Parker Age
Parker was born on 21st December 1957 in Sanford, North Carolina United States (60 years as of 2017)
Ivan Parker Family
Ivan’s parents are C.H Parker and Katie Parker. His father was a singer and musician but later became a preacher. Ivan credits his parents as his greatest influencers in his life.
“My mom, Katie Parker is a real prayer warrior. She has always prayed for God to use her children in the ministry. Reflecting back to my dad’s life, I see a lot of what I’m doing and the way God is using me as a fulfillment of his ministry. My dad was a singer and a musician, but when he was called to preach, he put his music on the back burner. It’s almost like he passed the mantle to me, and I’m fulfilling the musical side of his ministry.”
Ivan Parker Wife
Ivan is married to Teresa Parker and they reside Nashville, Tennessee. Ivan and Teresa own Parker Music Group which represents Ivan Parker.
Ivan Parker Children
Ivan and his wife Teresa has two sons Ryan Parker and Josh Parker. Ryan is a Commercial Lender and is married to Sandy Hagee who is an Attorney and they have two daughters Olivia and Ellie.
Josh has a degree in music from Cumberland University. He tours with his dad playing Guitar and working as Product Manager. Josh is married to Chelsie Hochradel who is a Nurse Practitioner.
Ivan Parker Career
Ivan once said in an interview that at the age of 2 years he sang his first song at a Sunday night church service.
“My mom tells me that my dad had simply said, ‘Is there anyone who has a special song they’d like to sing tonight?’ Apparently, when I heard him say that, I jumped out of her lap, took off running for the front, scared her and my dad to death and sang my first song. Mom also remembers Dad picking me up and holding me while I sang.”
At the age of 9 Ivan got saved: “I remember my mom and dad talking to me about being a Christian and that you could not get to heaven by somebody else’s excitement and somebody else’s joy — you had to accept Christ as an individual, I remember the very night just like it was yesterday. God spoke to my heart; I knelt down and asked Him into my life. I tell you what — I just could not imagine waking up a day without Christ.”
Ivan Parker Singing Americans
In 1982 Parker joined Singing Americans as the lead vocalist. The other band mebers were Danny Funderburk (tenor), Ed Hill (baritone), Dwayne Burke (bass) and Jerry Hatley (piano). Parker stayed with the group for a year before he left.
Ivan Parker Gold City
In 1983 Ivan joined Gold City as the lead vocalist. He was named by Singing News as the Favorite Lead Vocalist (1988 – 1993) and and also Favorite Male Vocalist (1989 -1995; 1997). He left the band in 1993. In 1994 Parker ventured into solo career.
Ivan Parker Solo Career
Ivan began recording as a solo artist in January 1994 and later joined Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither in “Homecoming” tour in 1995. He would occasionally sing with tenor Kirk Talley, and pianist/baritone Anthony Burger in a group called “The Trio.”
He was named the Favorite Soloist by The Singing News from 2001 – 2004 and 2006. He was voted Male Vocalist of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards in 2007 and 2008.
Ivan Parker Albums
- 1994: Faithful
- 1995: Mercy
- 1996: Days Gone By
- 1998: A Collection Of 20 Favorites (Homeland)
- 2000: Vintage Homecoming (Ivan Parker Ministries)
- 2001: Be Blessed (Action Music)
- 2002: It’s True (Horizon)
- 2002: Merry Christmas From Ivan (Action Music)
- 2003: Just Imagine (Horizon)
- 2004: Redeemer (Horizon)
- 2006: Under Grace (Horizon)
- 2007: That Was Then…This Is Now (Horizon)
- 2008: Inseparable (Horizon)
- 2008: The Best of Ivan Parker (Gaither Music Group)
- 2009: Unity (Horizon)
- 2010: Sing the Greatest Hits of Days Gone By (Horizon)
- 2011: Joyride (Crossroads)
Ivan Parker Songs
- Midnight Cry
- Rise Again
- When I Get Carried Away
- Mama’s Rocking Chair
- Then He Said, “Sing!”
- Tell Me The Story Of Jesus/I Love To Tell The Story
- I Can Only Imagine
- I’ll Do The Miracle
- You Raised Me Up
- Glory Road
- Wait Till You See Me In My New Home
- Love Is Like A River
- The Lighthouse
- One Day At A Time
- The Best Hallelujah In The House
- Silent Prayer
- Love Called My Name
- Til The Shackles Fall Off
- God’s In The Middle Of It
- Be Blessed
- Mercy’s Gift
- Come Ye Thirsty
- Go Ask
- It’s Still In The Book
- Walking My Very Last Mile
- When The Master Arrives
- I Just Wanna Get There
- Let Me Take You To The Cross
- Precious Jesus
- Jesus My Wonderful Lord
- Saved By The Hands
- The Statue of Liberty