Ivan Parker facts for kids

Ivan Parker is a well-known American singer who performs Southern gospel music. He was born on December 21, 1957.

A Singer's Journey

Ivan Parker grew up in Sanford, North Carolina. His father was a pastor there. In 1982, Ivan started his music career. He joined a group called the Singing Americans.

A year later, in 1983, he became the lead singer for the Gold City Quartet. This group had won a special award called the Dove Award. While with Gold City, Ivan won many awards himself. He was named "Favorite Lead Vocalist" by a magazine called Singing News for several years. He was also named "Favorite Male Vocalist" multiple times. In 1993, he was honored by being added to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

In 1994, Ivan decided to start singing on his own. He became a solo artist. In 1995, he joined famous gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither on their "Homecoming" tour. He toured with them for 16 years! Sometimes, Ivan would sing with two friends, tenor Kirk Talley and pianist Anthony Burger. They called their group "The Trio." From 2001 to 2016, Singing News magazine named him "Favorite Soloist" many times. He was also voted "Male Vocalist of the Year" in 2007 and 2008.

One of Ivan's albums, The Best of Ivan Parker: From the Homecoming Series, was very popular. It even made it onto the Billboard 200 chart in 2008. His 2019 album, Feels Like Home, had a classic, older sound.

Ivan's Family Life

Ivan Parker is married to Theresa. They have two sons named Josh and Ryan. Sometimes, Josh even performs with his dad on tour!

The Trio: A Special Group

"The Trio" was a group formed by Ivan Parker with his friends. They sang together for several years.

The Trio Members

• Kirk Talley – He sang the high tenor parts.
• Ivan Parker – He sang the main lead parts.
• Anthony Burger – He sang baritone and played the piano.

Ivan Parker's Music

Ivan Parker has released many albums throughout his career. A discography is a list of all the music an artist has recorded.

Albums with the Singing Americans

• 1982: Exciting Sound of the Singing Americans
• 1982: Sensational Singing Americans

Albums with Gold City

• 1983: I Think I’ll Read It Again
• 1984: Midnight Cry
• 1988: Portrait
• 1990: Windows of Home
• 1993: Acapella Gold

Albums with The Trio

• The Trio (1998)
• Back By Popular Demand (2001)
• Havin' a Good Time! (2003)

Solo Albums

• 1994: Faithful
• 1995: Mercy
• 2001: Merry Christmas From Ivan
• 2008: The Best of Ivan Parker
• 2019: Feels Like Home

Videos

Ivan Parker has also released several music videos. He has also appeared in many "Gaither Homecoming" videos, singing some of his most popular songs.

Solo Videos

• 2005: Requested LIVE
• 2007: The Best of Ivan Parker

Gaither Homecoming Video Performances

• 1994: O Happy Day "Wait Till You See Me In My New Home"
• 1998: All Day Singing at the Dome "When I Get Carried Away"
• 1999: Singin' In My Soul "Jesus Loves Me"
• 2000: Irish Homecoming "Midnight Cry"
• 2005: Canadian Homecoming "I Can Only Imagine"
• 2007: How Great Thou Art "Thank You"