60 years ago today ... country and rock history was made

[prberk]

Elvis made his one and only appearance on the WSM Grand Ole Opry. He sang his rock-a-billy version of Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Elvis was a truck driver at that time, and it was on that night that the Opry manager at the time was famously reported to have told him not to give up his trucking job. "Son, I think you better stick to trucking," he seems to have been told. (Some have challenged that myth.)

Long-time Opry member George Hamilton IV (who only recently passed away) later told an interviewer that after the Opry that night, Elvis went over to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop and played the Midnight Jamboree, where he found Mr. Tubb to be "the only person in Nashville to encourage him."

That was 1954. We all know that Elvis didn't need to keep his trucking job for very long. And a legend was made.

I love these little stories.

On a more positive note for the country side of things, yesterday was the 45th anniversary of the date that Loretta Lynn recorded "Coal Miner's Daughter" at Harold Bradley's barn studio for Decca Records. It is still a great song -- and really heartfelt. I love the movie, too. The scene where she breaks down on stage bought Sissy Spacek the Oscar I think. And Loretta herself was a true groundbreaker for women at the time. Still is today. Just won a lifetime achievement award at the Americana Awards.

 

[prberk]

Found this picture from that day. Left to right are Ferlin Huskey, Elvis Presley, Faron Young, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and disc jockey Tom Perryman.

Wonder how history might have changed if Elvis had done well with the Opry and been invited then to stay in Nashville. This was in 1954, almost two years before he hit it big in 1956 with the dawn of rock and roll (Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel, etc.). At the Opry he performed Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky," probably in the rockabilly style with which he recorded in Memphis.

 

[MinnieM123]

Thank you for sharing all of the above. That was very interesting reading. I never knew Elvis was a truck driver before his big singing career. Details like that are helpful in rounding out his background, by pointing out some of the various steps he made, while on his journey to success and fame.

 

[prberk]

Thank you for sharing all of the above. That was very interesting reading. I never knew Elvis was a truck driver before his big singing career. Details like that are helpful in rounding out his background, by pointing out some of the various steps he made, while on his journey to success and fame.

Thanks Minnie,

And I agree with you. I enjoy learning how people we know only by their fame, came be the person we know. It humanizes them.

Sometimes, though, wouldn't you have wanted to have been a fly on the wall?

And, you know, it really does make me think of "Back to the Future"... You know, that whole idea of "what if things had gone a different way?" In this case, what if Elvis had been welcomed with open arms into the traditional country music community? Would he still have done rockabilly and spearheaded the birth rock-n-roll? Who knows?

But to me biography like this is inspirational. Kind of like why I like things like EPCOT -- in that I believe that the history and background of things ("how they came to be") are inspirational in thinking about the possibilities of the future. You never know how far your talents will take you, at least until you try! And everything you do along the way can be useful in shaping your decisions and your future if you let them.

I often say that it was meaningful that Walt designed his original park with both nods to the past (Frontierland and Main Street, USA) and the future and dreams (Tomorrowland, Fantasyland) and full of adventure. It's a formula that works and inspires.

 

[MinnieM123]

Thanks Minnie,

And I agree with you. I enjoy learning how people we know only by their fame, came be the person we know. It humanizes them.

Sometimes, though, wouldn't you have wanted to have been a fly on the wall?

And, you know, it really does make me think of "Back to the Future"... You know, that whole idea of "what if things had gone a different way?" In this case, what if Elvis had been welcomed with open arms into the traditional country music community? Would he still have done rockabilly and spearheaded the birth rock-n-roll? Who knows?

But to me biography like this is inspirational. Kind of like why I like things like EPCOT -- in that I believe that the history and background of things ("how they came to be") are inspirational in thinking about the possibilities of the future. You never know how far your talents will take you, at least until you try! And everything you do along the way can be useful in shaping your decisions and your future if you let them.

I often say that it was meaningful that Walt designed his original park with both nods to the past (Frontierland and Main Street, USA) and the future and dreams (Tomorrowland, Fantasyland) and full of adventure. It's a formula that works and inspires.

That was an interesting correlation you drew, between the inspirational details of Elvis' biography, and Walt's vision for Walt Disney World. The possibilities for both men could have gone in many directions. It does make you wonder "what if" circumstances had been different for both of them.

So many variables point us in the direction where we ultimately end up. Needless to say, I am so pleased that both of these creative men arrived at exactly the profession they should have! Thank goodness the right forces and situations allowed each one of them to live out an exciting dream—a dream that so many of us have appreciated for many years.