Local country artist-disc jockey, Billy Parker, has long career in country music

How many local artists have made it big in the music industry? Billy Parker did. Born in Tuskegge, Parker is an American country music disc jockey and singer. Parker has been a friend to country music ever since he picked up his first guitar that his mother bought him when he was 11 year old. At age 14, he and his family moved to McAlester and he started playing guitar on the radio after school.

One day, while listening to KFMJ country radio, Parker heard the station announce it was looking for a part-time disc jockey. Parker drove to the station and applied for the job and was hired to play gospel music on the weekends. Soon after he was hired, one of the station's full time DJ's was fired and Parker took his spot. As a full time jockey, Parker drove to a smallneighboring town where he did a show called “The Broken Arrow Hour.”

Parker worked for the radio station until 1968 when he joined the Grand Ole Opry and Ernest Tubb and his Texas Trubadours. While on tour with the Trubadours, Parker learned the ins and outs of the music business and was able to work with some very important names in country music such as Bob Wills and Red Foley.

Growing tired of traveling and being on tour, Parker moved back to Tulsa in 1970. Upon returning to Tulsa, Parker began working for KVOO doing “The Night Show.” Parker's two favorite modern country vocalists are Vince Gill and George Strait.

Parker's work at KVOO is what he considers to have one his major awards. He was named Disc Jockey of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1974 and by the Acadamey of County Music in 1975, 1977, 1978 and 1984. He was also inducted into th eCountry Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1992, the Western Swing Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters' Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Between 1976 and 1989, Parker charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart. Parker retreated from performing to focus on his work as KVOO's program director but returned in 1988 with his album “ Always Country” and in 1990 he released a gospel record. A couple years later, he was appointed KVOO's executive director. A great career for a local artist.