Frank Parker (singer)

Frank Parker (April 29, 1903 – January 10, 1999)[1] was an American singer and radio and television personality.[1]

For other people named Frank Parker, see Frank Parker (disambiguation).
Frank Parker
Parker on Bride and Groom in 1957
BornApril 29, 1903
New York City, New York
Died (aged 95)
Titusville, Florida
NationalityAmerican
Other namesFrank Ciccio
Occupation(s)Singer, radio and television personality

Early years

Parker was born Frank Ciccio on April 29, 1903[1][2] in New York City.[1] He was a graduate of the Milan Conservatory of music,[3] and was a dancer in a stage production of Little Nellie Kelly.[4]

Bands

Parker began his singing career as a tenor in 1926 and appeared with Harry Horlick's orchestra in 1933.[5]

Radio

Parker debuted on radio as a substitute singer on The Eveready Hour,[4] and he was a regular on radio and television in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s with personalities including Jack Benny, George Burns and Arthur Godfrey.[1]

1930s

An October 30, 1930, newspaper listing shows Parker singing on the Van Heusen Program on WABC in New York City.[6] Also, in the early 1930s, he was a featured singer with Donald Voorhees and his orchestra on the Bond Sunshine Program on WEAF in New York City.[7]

Parker's tenure with Benny ended in the fall of 1935. When Michael Bartlett replaced Parker on the program, a newspaper article noted: "[Benny] turned Frank Parker into a tenor with a keen sense of humor ... Frank Parker asks $3,000 a week from theatrical booking agents, and usually gets it."[8]

Beginning September 14, 1935, he had his own program, That Atlantic Family on Tour, with Frank Parker, which was heard on 36 CBS stations.[9]

In September and October 1936, Parker and Ramona (no last name printed) were featured on a 15-minute weekly program on WEAF in New York City and WMAQ in Chicago.[10] Beginning June 30, 1937, Parker teamed with Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra on CBS in a summer replacement program sponsored by Chesterfield cigarettes.[11]

1940s

In the early 1940s, he sang with Andre Kostelanetz on broadcasts over WABC in New York City.[12] He was the featured male singer on Your Home Front Reporter,[13] which was broadcast on CBS in 1943.[14]

In 1949, the Teleways company advertised "156 brilliant 15 minute musical programs," episodes of the Frank Parker Show, that were available to radio stations via transcription.[15]

Television

Parker was the host of the 1950s TV show Bride and Groom and a panelist on Masquerade Party.[1] The 1950s saw Parker become a member of the Little Godfreys cast of singers on Arthur Godfrey Time and Arthur Godfrey and His Friends until around 1956. Parker had known Godfrey since the 1930s.

Film

Parker appeared in several movies including Romance in the Rain (1934), Sweet Surrender (1935) and Paris Follies of 1956.[1]

Year Title Role Notes
1934Romance in the RainMaster of Ceremonies
1934Transatlantic Merry-Go-RoundHimself - Tenor Singer
1935Sweet SurrenderDanny O'Day
1955Paris Follies of 1956Himself(final film role)

Death

Parker died at the age of 95 on January 10, 1999, in Titusville, Florida.[1] His hobbies included golf, polo, and reading.[3]

Legacy

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6821 Hollywood Boulevard.[1]

References
  1. "Hollywood Star Walk - Frank Parker". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 1956.
  2. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. Pp. 209-210.
  3. "Wednesday's Highlights" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 14 (1): 48. May 1940. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  4. "Frank Parker Is Featured in Capitol Bill". Pennsylvania, Shamokin. Shamokin News-Dispatch. February 17, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved November 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. Frank Parker with Harry Horlick on YouTube, 1933
  6. "860K--WABC--349M". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. October 30, 1930. p. 12. Retrieved November 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "(radio listing)". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 30, 1931. p. 25. Retrieved November 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  8. Robert, Bernes (October 6, 1935). "The Radio Reporter". California, Oakland. Oakland Tribune. p. Screen & Radio Weekly, p. 86. Retrieved November 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  9. "Network Accounts" (PDF). Broadcasting. September 15, 1935. p. 39. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  10. "Special Drene Hookup" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 15, 1936. p. 59. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  11. "Frank Parker and Alice Faye to Join Cigaret Program". Texas, Pampa. Pampa Daily News. June 15, 1937. p. 7. Retrieved November 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  12. "(radio listing)". Pennsylvania, Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel Item. April 4, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved November 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  13. ""Home Front Reporter" Starts Monday". Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. May 8, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved November 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  14. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 1. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 779.
  15. Broadcasting Telecasting Yearbook (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1949. p. 409. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
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