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.
