Music History

Ten-year-old Elvis Presley made his first public performance at a talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo. His teacher, Mrs. Oleta Grimes, entered him in the contest after hearing him sing at school that morning. Elvis sang Red Foley's “Old Shep” without accompaniment and had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone. The talent contest was broadcast by radio station WELO. Elvis placed fifth and received a prize of $5 worth of tickets for the fair's rides. After the contest, he used the tickets on, among other things, more dangerous rides, despite his mother Gladys advising him against it, and she subsequently punished him.

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 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.

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 performed in Memphis, where he performed “That's All Right (Mama)” for the first time.

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, Scotty Moore and Bill Black performed at 8:30 p.m. at the Eagle's Nest club in Memphis, Tennessee, above the Clearpool complex. Other performers included the Tiny Dixon Band and The Eagles.

Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black may have performed at the Silver Slipper club. The source lists the performance as possible rather than definitively confirmed.

Elvis Presley played at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis, Tennessee, at 8:30 PM, with the Tiny Dixon Band and The Eagles also performing.

Elvis Presley worked for Crown Electric. According to the source, he continued working there until mid-October 1954.

Elvis Presley continued working for Crown Electric until the middle of October 1954.

Elvis Presley performed at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the All-Star Jamboree tour.

Elvis Presley performed at the Municipal Hall Auditorium in Camden, Arkansas, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. as part of the All-Star Jamboree. Other performers included Webb Pierce, Red Sovine, Bud Deckelman, Charlie Feathers, and Wanda Jackson.

Elvis Presley performed at the eighth annual Country Music Jamboree at Overton Park Shell in Memphis. Others appearing included Webb Pierce, Sonny James, Johnny Cash and Wanda Jackson. The concert drew more than 4,000 people.

Elvis Presley performed at River Stadium in Batesville, Arkansas, as part of the 12th annual White River Carnival. He performed songs including “That's All Right,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Good Rocking Tonight” and “Baby Let's Play House.”

Elvis Presley performed at Magnolia Gardens in Houston and later at Cook's Hoedown in Houston.

Elvis Presley performed at the Mayfair Building in Tyler, Texas. This marked the beginning of a week-long tour with Jim Ed and Maxine Brown.

Elvis Presley performed at Baseball Park in Gladewater, Texas, during a tour with The Browns. Approximately 20 people attended the concert.

Elvis Presley performed at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana. His set included “That's All Right”, “Baby Let's Play House” and Chuck Berry's “Maybellene”.

At a meeting in Memphis with manager Bob Neal, Colonel Tom Parker and his father Vernon Presley, he signed a new contract that appointed Parker as a “special adviser” with control over virtually every aspect of Elvis's career. On the same day, Mitch Miller of RCA Victor rejected a proposal to offer $20,000 to acquire Elvis, saying that no singer was worth that amount.

Elvis Presley released the single “I Forgot to Remember to Forget / Mystery Train”, which later became his first No. 1 hit. It remained at the top of the country chart for five weeks.

Elvis Presley returned to the Louisiana Hayride at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The surviving recording documents performances of “Baby Let's Play House”, “Maybellene” and “That's All Right”.

Sun Records released the song “I Forgot to Remember to Forget”. Billboard published a review of it and predicted that it would receive considerable attention. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard National Country Music Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Most Played By Jockeys chart in February 1956, bringing Elvis his first nationwide publicity and success.

Elvis's family lived at 1414 Getwell Street, rented from mid-1955 until May 11, 1956.

Elvis Presley performed at Spudder Park in Wichita Falls, Texas, beginning a week-long tour with several performers from Louisiana Hayride: Bill Mack & Band, Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, David Houston, Sonny Crammer, Ray Gallman, Tillman Franks, and Willie Birdbrain. The performance began at 8:15 p.m.

Elvis Presley performed at the Bryan Saddle Club rodeo (Brazos County Rodeo Arena) in Bryan, Texas. A flatbed truck served as the stage.

Elvis Presley performed at the Davy Crockett High School football stadium in Conroe, Texas, before approximately 700 people. Also on the bill were Mary McCoy, Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, David Houston, Sonny Crammer, Ray Gallman, Tillman Franks, Willie Birdbrain and George Jones.

Elvis performed “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” at the Sportcenter in Austin, Texas. The concert began at 8:00 p.m. and was part of the Louisiana Hayride Tour. Other performers included Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, David Houston, Dalton & Lulu Jo, Sonny Crammer, Ray Gallman, Tillman Franks and Willie Birdbrain.

Elvis Presley performed at Baseball Park in Gonzales, Texas. He was joined by Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, David Houston, Sonny Crammer, Ray Gallman, Tillman Franks and Willie Birdbrain.

Elvis Presley performed at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana, continuing his regular Saturday appearances on the influential country music radio show.

Elvis Presley performed at Pontchartrain Beach amusement park in New Orleans alongside other performers, including Mrs. Jimmy Rogers, Jim Reeves, Al Terry, Jack Cardwell, Jimmy Swan, Ernie Chaffin, Ann Raye, Ray Parker and Hillbilly Evans. Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys performed in New Orleans.

Elvis Presley performed at the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium in Texarkana, Arkansas, as part of The Big D Jamboree. The concert was scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m., but Elvis arrived late because of a traffic accident. While overtaking a truck, Scotty Moore drove the Cadillac Fleetwood into an oncoming vehicle. The repair cost $1,000, and local high school student Carl Nelson entertained the audience until Elvis arrived.

Elvis Presley performed three shows in Dallas at two venues: first two performances as part of the Big “D” Jamboree at the Sportatorium, followed later that night by a performance at the Round Up Club.

Elvis Presley performed at the St. Francis County Fair and Livestock Show Jamboree at Smith Stadium in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was the headline act on a five-day tour that also featured Johnny Cash, Bud Deckelman, Floyd Cramer and Eddie Bond.

Elvis Presley gave his mother Gladys a pink Cadillac Fleetwood, which he had originally bought in July 1955 in blue with a black roof and had repainted in a shade known as “Elvis Rose.” Gladys did not have a driver's license, so Elvis drove her in the car.

Elvis Presley and his band traveled from Memphis to Bono, Arkansas, where they performed in a high school gymnasium. Johnny Cash, Bud Dickerman, Eddie Bond, Floyd Cramer and Jimmy Day also performed. The crowd was so large that the floor collapsed during the concert, fortunately without injuries. Elvis also showed off his new 1954 Cadillac Eldorado.

Elvis Presley performed at the National Guard Armory in Sikeston, Missouri; the concert began at 8:00 p.m. and was part of a five-day tour.

Elvis Presley performed as part of the Louisiana Hayride at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport.

“I Forgot to Remember to Forget” reached No. 2 on the Memphis chart. After RCA Victor acquired the recording, it became Elvis's first significant national release and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country and Western chart in February 1956, where it remained for a total of 39 weeks. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Most Played by Jockeys chart and brought him his first significant national publicity.

Elvis performed at G. Rollie White Coliseum in College Station, Texas. It was the beginning of a four-day tour with other performers from Louisiana Hayride: Jimmy & Johnny, Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, David Houston, Willy Birdbrain and Daldon & Lulu. The concert began at 7:30 p.m.

Elvis performed at the Boys Club Gymnasium in Paris, Texas, as part of the Louisiana Hayride Jamboree. Also appearing were Jimmy & Johnny, Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, Willie Birdbrain, Daldon & Lulu, and Sonny Trammel; the show was sponsored by the Optimist Club. The show began at 8:00 p.m.

Elvis Presley performed twice in Texas on October 6, 1955: in the afternoon at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos with Jimmy & Johnny, Johnny Horton, Betty Amos, Willie Birdbrain, Daldon & Lulu, Sonny Trammell and Ray Gomer, and in the evening at the Skyline Club in Austin as part of the Louisiana Hayride Jamboree.

Elvis Presley and Tillman Franks traveled by bus to Houston to visit Bob Wills at Cook’s Hoedown Club; according to Franks, neither Elvis nor Wills was particularly impressed with the other.

Elvis Presley performed as part of Louisiana Hayride at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, Texas. The performance was also broadcast on radio.