Ivan Parker was raised in Sanford, North Carolina, where his father was a pastor in a Pentecostal church. In 1982, Parker joined the Singing Americans, and in 1983 he became lead vocalist of the Dove Award-winning group the Gold City Quartet. As a member of Gold City, he was named Favorite Lead Vocalist by Singing News from 1988–1993, and was named Favorite Male Vocalist from 1989–1995 and 1997. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
In January 1994, Parker began recording as a solo artist, and in 1995 he joined Bill and Gloria Gaither in "Homecoming" tour. Occasionally, he would sing with tenor Kirk Talley, and pianist/baritone Anthony Burger in a group they called simply, "The Trio." He has released 13 solo albums. From 2001-2004 and 2006, The Singing News named him Favorite Soloist. In 2007 and 2008, he was voted Male Vocalist of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards.
With the Singing Americans
1982: Exciting Sound Of The Singing Americans
1982: Sensational Singing Americans
With Gold City
1983: I Think I’ll Read It Again
1983: Hymns Sung By The Gold City Quartet
1983: Higher than the Moon
1984: Walking with Jesus
1984 Midnight Cry
1984: Walk On
1985: Sing with the Angels
1986: Double Take: Live
1986: Your Favorite Hymns
1987: Movin’ Up
1988: Portrait
1988: Voices of Christmas
1989: Favorite Hymns Volume 2
1989: Goin’ Home
1990: Windows of Home
1990: Instrumentals Volume 1
1990: Indiana Live
1991: 10 Year Celebration
1991: Answer the Call
1992: Kings Gold
1992: Pillars of Faith
1993: Kings Gold 2
1993: Acapella Gold
With The Trio
(Anthony Burger, Kirk Talley and Ivan Parker)
The Trio (1998)
Back By Popular Demand (2001)
Havin' a Good Time! (2003)
Solo 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)
Video
2005: Requested LIVE
2007: The Best of Ivan Parker
2010: Exclusively LIVE
Gaither Homecoming Video Performances
1995:Holy Ground "Saved by the Hands"
1995: Ryman Gospel Reunion "Farther Along", "The Lighthouse"
1996: Joy in the Camp "I Know","Go Ask"
1998: All Day Singing At The Dome "When I Get Carried Away"
1998: Kennedy Center Homecoming "One Day At A Time"
1998: Down By The Tabernacle "Old Camp Meeting Days", "Tell Me The Story Of Jesus", "At The Altar"