Mike Parker of ‘American Idol’ talks country music influences

Mike Parker is enjoying his time on American Idol.  He was saved by the judges and has made his way into The Top 14 on the show this Season. TVMusic Network talked to him at The American Idol Top 14 celebration party and asked him about some highlights so far on his journey on the show. Parker states that being accepted in the country music family is one. “That hit me a little differently than any other moment on the show. Because that’s what I was, what I was signed up for. I signed up to be a country artist. I signed up to be accepted by the Country Music industry and I think I’m on my way.”

When asked who has influenced him?.  “Personal level definitely. Jimmie, { Allen } you know we’re close. In age, we grew up around the same area of the East Coast. You know Virginia and Delaware? They’re kind of like two of the same like states. As far as just historically and stuff like that. They have the same feel as you drive through it. So I feel most connected to JimmIe that I’m influenced by”.
  Jimmie Allen mentored the contestants in Hawaii this season. He is a previous American Idol contestant and is one of the Black country artists finding success in the country music field who recently won Best New Male Artist at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Parker states that he would like to follow the lead of other black artists making a name for themselves in country music such as Blanco, Breland Brown and Mickey Guyton. 

Parker has now made it to the Top 10 on the show. Click below to see his performances for this week.
American Idol airs on Sundays and Mondays