A native of Fauquier County, Mike Parker found his love for singing in 2003. As a 9-year-old Parker remembers Ruben Studdard’s television appearances on American Idol. Studdard became the winner of the show’s second season. Parker performed a Studdard song in his fourth-grade talent show.
Parker then started singing in church. He followed the path of his musical parents who performed in a band in the 1980s. One of Parker’s inspirations for both his voice and his life journey is John Legend.
Parker played football for a state-bound team at Kettle Run High School in Warrenton, Virginia. As a wide receiver and defensive back, heavy recruiting came from top football programs. Struggling to pay attention in class, his grades suffered. At Warrenton-based Fauquier High School, he graduated and then attended Atlanta Metropolitan College in Georgia. He eventually left college to pursue a career in music.
The Voice and American Idol competitor
Parker filled a seat on Jennifer Hudson’s team in season 15 of The Voice in the fall of 2018. He won the battle round performing John Mayer’s Gravity with teammate Natasha Greycloud. The competition came to an end during the knockout round against McKenzie Thomas.
“You have a storyteller’s voice,” Ritchie said. “You have the ability to bring us right to the core and then explode calmly. The crowd gives you the expression. You’re on fire.”
Parker earned a Golden Ticket to the Hollywood week on American Idol performing Deana Carter’s Strawberry Wine during the show’s 20th season.
Parker sang a rendition of Florida-Georgia Line’s Second Guessing, advancing with 23 other contestants to the next round with the Top 24 of American Idol.
Mike Parker American Idol 2022 Top 14
Performing Chasing After You Parker did not provide the public vote to continue on the show. However, after performing “Bed on Fire”, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Ritchie picked Parker with three other contestants to continue competing into the next round.
The show continues with the Top 14 performing live on Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Viewers can follow American Idol on Twitter to get real-time notifications about when the polls open for each leg of the competition. Viewers can vote up to 10 times via web, text, and app.
Catch new episodes of American Idol every Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
