1954

1954 was perhaps the most important year in the career of Elvis Presley.
Some will surely argue, but somehow this can also easily be seen as
the most important year for recording music.

Imagine a 19 year old young boy, rebelling against everything sacred.
Not (yet) idolized by millions, but already heavily criticised by those who ruled.
    It must have been a frustrating time for a hardworking and shy kid.
Thanks to Sam Philips (at 31 , the only grow-up who believed in him) Elvis
didn't quit and continued his revolution.
A revolution he wouldn't survive in the end.
 

17 July. Memphis, Tn. Bon Air Club

Songs
That's All Right - Blue Moon of Kentucky
 

Note:
This is the first time Elvis, Scotty & Bill performed together for a live audience. Sam Philips was able to arrange this impromtu appearance only because the Starlite Wranglers had a regular booking at the Bon Air.
 

24 July. Memphis, Tn. Bon Air Club

Songs
That's All Right - Blue Moon of Kentucky
 

Note:
This was Elvis' second live appearance with the Starlite Wranglers.
 

30 July. Memphis, Tn. Overton Park Shell

Songs
That's All Right - Blue Moon of Kentucky - Blue Moon of Kentucky (encore)
 

Note:
Besides Sam Philips, Dixie Locke and his parents attanded his performance for the very first time.
Head attraction for this show was Slim Whitman.
 

31 July. Memphis, Tn. Bon Air Club

Note:

1 August. West Memphis, Ar. KWEM Radio

Note:
The first (brief) radio appearance by the trio outside of Memphis.
Note that this was in West Memphis, Arkansas.
 

7 August. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:
The first appearance at The Eagle's Nest. A place were they would become a regular attraction for the next few months. Scotty & Bill left the Starlite Wranglers for good.
 

10 August. Memphis, Tn. Overton Park Shell

Note:

16 August. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:
 

18 August. Memphis, Tn. Bellevue Park

Note:

21 August. Gladewater, Tx. Louisiana Hayride

Note:
 

22 August. Houston, Tx. Magnolia Gardens

Note:

27 August. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

28 August. Memphis, Tn. Bel Air Club

Note:

29 August. Memphis, Tn. Kennedy Hospital, Gerwell Road

Note:

3 September. Memphis, Tn. Art's Barbeque

Note:

9 September. Memphis, Tn. Lamar & Katz Airways Shopping Center

Note:
Elvis performed at Katz Drug Store.

10 September. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

11 September. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

Eagle's Nest 1954

17 September. Bethel Springs, Tn. High School Gym

Note:
After the show (an unknown) Carl Perkins asked Elvis if Sam Philips could use another singer, singing a similar style.
 

18 September. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

24 September. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

25 September. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

1 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

2 October. Nashville, Tn. Ryman Auditorium

Songs
Blue Moon of Kentucky
 

Note:
Elvis' first and only appearance at The Grand Ole Opry.

6 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

8 October. Atlanta, Ga. Silver Slipper

Note:

1954

9 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

13 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

15 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

16 October. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Stage

Early Hayride performance

Stageview

Program lineup

8:00 to 8:15 (sponsored by Tube Rose Snuff)
1. Buddy Attaway
2. Betty Amos
    "Old Time Religion"
3. Hoot & Curly
    "Country Lovin'"
4. Tibby Edwards
    "I Know You'll Understand"

8:15 to 8:30 (sponsored by Jax Beer)
Tibby Edwards
    "Come On, Chere"
5. Jack Ford
    "Pretty Words"
    "I Don't Hurt Anymore"
6. Ginnie Wright
    "I Want To Be Hugged To Death"

8:30 to 9:00 (sponsored Sal Hepatica)
7. Buddy Attaway
    "Big Mamou"
8. Martha Lawson (guest star)
    "Mountain Pooka" (yodelling!)
9. Merle Kilgore (guest from Texas; writer of "More And More")
    "More And More"
10. Jimmy & Johnny
    (Gimme a little kiss, baby...)
11. Jimmie C. Newman
    "Can It Be Right?"
    "You Didn't Have To Go"
12. Jack Ford sang the theme song for Sal Hepatica

9:00 to 9:30 (sponsored by Lucky Strike)
13. Floyd Tilman (guest star)
    "Slipping Around"
    "I'll Take What I Can Get"
14. Ginnie Wright
    "Tell Me How To Get Married"
15. Elvis Presley (guest star; 19 years old)
Introduction By Frank Page
    "That's All Right, Mama" (rhythm & blues style)
    "Blue Moon Of Kentucky"
16. Dobber Johnson
    "Black Mountain Rag"
17. Hoot & Curly
    "Come Home With Me Today"
18. Tibby Edwards (sings Ray Price's...)
    "Love Me Now (Cause I'm Much Too Young To Die)"
19. Dorothy Collins sings LS/MFT
20. Betty Amos
    "If Some Folks Would Leave Us Alone"

Note:
Elvis' first appearance at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium

16-10-1954

Released on:
Several (un-/semi-) official releases.
First release was a 45 rpm single on the Chicken label
(Chicken 101)

20 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

22 October. New Orleans, La. Old Barn Dance

Note:

23 October. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

29 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

30 October. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

Eagle's Nest 1954

6 November. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Songs
I'm Gonna Sit Down & Cry Over You - Fool, Fool, Fool - Blue Moon Of Kentucky -
Sittin' On Top Of The World

Note:

8 November. Memphis, Tn. Memphis State University

Note:
Elvis was booked for this "Student Government Association" blood drive without Scotty & Bill.
It was a benefit performance.
 

? November. Nettleton, Ar. High School

Note:
Bob Neal arranged this, not very successful, arrangement around this time.
 

12 November. Gladewater, Tx. Mint Club

Note:

13 November. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

17 November. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:

18 November. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Songs
Heart Of Stone - Shake Rattle & Roll

Note:
 

19 November. Lake Cliff, La. Lake Cliff Club

Note:

20 November. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

21 November. Houston, Tx. Magnolia Gardens

Note:
Afternoon show.

21 November. Houston, Tx. Cook's Hoedown Club

Note:
Evening show.
 

Gladewater 22 Nov, 1954

22 November. Gladewater, Tx. Mint Club

Note:
KSIJ Radio show    
 

23 November. Gladewater, Tx. Roundup Club

Note:

24 November. New Boston, Tx.

Note:

24 November. Texarkana, Ar. Municipal Auditorium

Note:

25 November. Houston, Tx. Paladium Club

Note:

26 November. Houston, Tx. Paladium Club

Note:

27 November. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

27 November. Houston, Tx. Paladium Club

Note:

2 December. Helena, Ar. Catholic Club

Note:

3 December. Texarkana, Ar. Municipal Auditorium

Note:

4 December. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

10 December. Memphis, Tn. The Eagle's Nest

Note:
This is Elvis' last performance at the Eagle's Nest.

11 December. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

17 Dec, 1954

17 December. Hawkinst, Tx. High School Gymnasium

Songs
Hearts of Stone - Shake Rattle & Roll
 

Note:

18 December. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Songs
Blue Moon Of Kentucky - That's All Right - Heart Of Stone - Shake, Rattle & Roll

Note:

22 December. Lake Cliff, La. Lake Cliff Club

Note:

25 December. Shreveport, La. Louisiana Hayride

Note:

28 December. Houston, Tx. Cook's Hoedown Club

Note:
Yule Tide Jamboree and Dance.
Probably the first time Elvis was headlined for a show.
The show was attended by about 150 people.