Description
Ten-year-old Elvis Presley made his first public appearance in a talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. He sang “Old Shep” and finished in second place.
Related events
- Elvis Presley returned to the Tennessee Employment Security Office as a job seeker. He expressed an interest in work involving cleaning and was referred for several job interviews.
- Elvis Presley performed in Memphis, where he performed “That's All Right (Mama)” for the first time.
- Billboard magazine published an article about Elvis Presley, describing him as a new singer capable of delivering rock songs to both country and R&B audiences.
- Elvis Presley performed at Eagle's Nest in Memphis, Tennessee. It was the first of twelve appearances he made at the venue that year, and the performance included “That's All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”.
- Elvis Presley began working for Crown Electric as a delivery truck driver, delivering materials to construction sites. At the same time, he was training to become an electrician. He worked for the company until mid-October 1954. At that time, the Presleys were living at 2414 Lamar Avenue, which they rented through the end of 1954 and into mid-1955.
- Elvis Presley performed at Eagle’s Nest in Memphis with the Tiny Dixon Band. He sang “That's All Right” and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”.
- In connection with the release of his second single on Sun Records, “Good Rockin' Tonight,” Elvis Presley performed with Bill Black and Scotty Moore at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. The audience reaction was so unfavorable that Opry manager Jim Denny told Elvis to return to driving a truck. Sources for the same date also list an engagement at the Eagles Nest in Memphis, Tennessee. Two weeks later, the trio performed on the competing radio and television program Louisiana Hayride and signed a contract for 52 Saturday night broadcasts.
- Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black performed at the Eagle's Nest club in Memphis.
- Elvis Presley appeared at his only engagement at the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, where he sang “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” His interpretation of traditional country music was not well received by the audience. Opry talent director Jim Denny reportedly told him that he should return to driving a truck, after which Elvis vowed never to return to the Grand Ole Opry. After the performance, he briefly also appeared on the live radio program Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree at Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
- Elvis Presley performed at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the All-Star Jamboree tour.