On October 3, 1945, thanks to his teacher Oleta Grimes, a neighbor of the Presley family who had heard young Elvis sing at school, at the age of ten he participated in a young talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair that It was held in Tupelo. The talent show is broadcast on Welo Radio. Elvis performs a song by country singer Red Foley, called Old Shep, which is about the relationship between a boy and his dog. The song is performed without any type of accompaniment. Elvis wins fifth prize, receiving $5 in tickets to ride the fair’s attractions.
The following year, for Elvis’s 11th birthday, his parents, who are still in financial trouble, cannot afford the bicycle he wants, so Gladys convinces him to accept a guitar instead. What would be his first guitar costs $12.95 and was purchased at the Tupelo Hardware Company. Elvis decides to apply himself to learn to play the guitar that same year. His love for music will increasingly increase, mainly in the gospel music that he listens to in church and the songs that he can hear from the Grand Ole Opry through the radio.
Information provided by Club Elvis Spain http://www.clubelvis.org
