Elvis Presley - In the Beginning

Choose an answer from the three choices offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz.

1. Elvis was born on January 8, 1935.  What Mississippi town was he born in?

• Hattiesburg, Mississippi

• Jackson, Mississippi

• Tupelo, Mississippi

2. At school, Presley was teased by his fellow classmates; they threw "things at him—rotten fruit and stuff and because he was different.  What is NOT a trait of the young Elvis.

• He was talkative.

• He stuttered.

• He was a mamma’s boy.

3. At age ten, he made his first public performance in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show.  Dressed as a cowboy, the young Presley had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone and sang.  He won second prize.  What did he sing?

• Red Foley's “Old Shep”

• Ace Freely’s “Hang Ten”

• Bo Didley’s “Bo Didley”

4. In November 1948, the Presley’s moved.  Where did they move to?

• Nashville, Tennessee

• Memphis, Tennessee

• New Orleans, Louisiana

5. The young Presley also listened a lot to local radio; his first musical hero was family friend, a hillbilly singer with a radio show on Tupelo’s WELO.  Presley performed occasionally on his Saturday morning show, Singin’ and Pickin’ Hillbilly.  Who was this family friend?

• Mississippi Slim

• Tennessee Ted

• Alabama Pie

6. Another major influence of the move to Memphis was the strong tradition of blues and soul music.  He went to blues as well as and hillbilly venues.  Many of his recordings were inspired by black Memphis composers and recording artists.  Who was NOT one of these artists?

• Rufus Thomas

• B.B. King

• Beale Street

7. After making two acetate records at Sun Studios, Elvis made a demo for Sam Phillips, found of the studio.  They made a record: “That's All Right”/”Blue Moon of Kentucky.”  What was the date the song was released?

• July 19, 1953

• July 19, 1954

• July 19, 1955

8. On July 30, 1954 Elvis, Winfield “Scotty” Moore and Bill Black made their first appearance at the Overton Park Shell, with Slim Whitman headlining.  The three artists were billed as what?

• The Tennessee Walkers

• The Blue Moon Boys

• Western Swings Cowboys

9. Presley debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on October 2, 1954 Hank Snow introduced Presley on stage.  Afterwards, the singer was allegedly told: “Boy, you’d better keep driving that truck.”  What song did he sing?

• “Hound Dog”

• “Blue Moon of Kentucky”

• “Jailhouse Rock”

10. In August 1955, Elvis was signed to a one-year contract with “Hank Snow Attractions”, a company owned by Hank Snow and another person.  Who was this other person?

• “Colonel” Tom Parker

• Vernon Presley

• Tex Ritter

Check Your Answers

1. Tupelo, Mississippi

2. He was talkative.

3. Red Foley's “Old Shep”

4. Memphis, Tennessee

5. Mississippi Slim

6. Beale Street

7. July 19, 1954

8. The Blue Moon Boys

9. “Blue Moon of Kentucky”

10. “Colonel” Tom Parker