Biography

Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, more commonly known as "Colonel" Tom Parker, was a Dutch-born musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager. Born in the Netherlands, Parker immigrated illegally to the United States at the age of 20. He then changed his name and claimed to have been born in the United States. A carnival worker by background, Parker moved into music promotion in 1938, working with one of the first popular crooners, Gene Austin, and then country music singers Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Tommy Sands in his early career. He also assisted Jimmie Davis's campaign to become Governor of Louisiana. As a reward, Davis gave him the honorary rank of "colonel" in the Louisiana State Militia. Parker encountered Elvis Presley in 1955 and by 1956 had become his sole representative.