Which Grand Ole Opry singer was it that told Elvis?

[Guest]

He needed to go stick to driving a truck?

[Spellbinder]

Hank Williams.

[Kylan]

didn't Hank Williams die before Elvis even went into Sun??????

[Guest]

No it wasnt, it was supposedly Jim Denny.

In fact, Jim Denny's son says his father never said this.As did Sam Philips.

Denny never discouraged Elvis from performing.

[Spellbinder]

didn't Hank Williams die before Elvis even went into Sun??????

Hank appeared to Elvis in a vision.

[Rob]

didn't Hank Williams die before Elvis even went into Sun?

Yes. Hank died on January 1, 1953.

[Kylan]

didn't Hank Williams die before Elvis even went into Sun?

Yes. Hank died on January 1, 1953.

yes I know! I was just being silly. apparently my humor was a bit too subtle! lol

[Rob]

I understood your humor (and laughed). My reply was not necessarily for you, but for those who may not have known when it was that Hank Williams died.

Anyway....back to the original topic.

[Thomas]

I don't think Hank Williams would have ever said anything like that to a young talent ...

[likethebike]

Denny's kin may have been engaging in some revisionist history and Phillips may have been just being kind. The reason I say this is that Elvis himself told this story. Elvis was never the best on remembering the names and dates of certain circumstances but he generally didn't fabricate stories.

[Pete Dube]

You tell 'em Bike! Preach it brother!

[ColinB]

Denny's kin may have been engaging in some revisionist history and Phillips may have been just being kind.

Well, Ernst Jorgensen & Peter Guralnick don't mention it in their Elvis - Day by Day book.

They report that Elvis received "a polite, but not vociferously enthusiastic reception" from the Opry audience.

Elvis met Bill Monroe, who had "nothing but praise for their treatment of his song" [Blue Moon of Kentucky].

The nearest thing to a snub that Elvis got was when he "blurted out" to Ernest Tubb [they participated in a radio show from Tubb's record shop very near to the Opry venue] that his "real ambition was to sing country music".

Tubb's measured response was that Elvis should "go on doing what had obviously gotten him off to a good start until he'd had enough success to do what he wanted to do" !

Some diplomat, that guy !

[drjohncarpenter]

Elvis' sole "Opry" appearance on October 2, 1954 yielded a performance of "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," to a polite, but not overwhelming response. Apparently, Jim Denny was shocked to see just three musicians show up, given the amazingly full sound of SUN 209. Denny's lack of enthusiasm seems to have been turned into the oft-told story that it was he who told Elvis to stick to truck driving.

However, it was revealed in Guralnick's "Last Train To Memphis" it was actually local Memphis musician Eddie Bond gave Elvis that "advice." Elvis had a two song try-out at the Hi-Hat Club in May 1954, between sets by Bond. Eddie didn't think Elvis had what it took. Eddie was wrong, but Elvis never forgot.

[mark]

When sang Blue Moon Of Kentucky Is this on Tape somewhere ?

[Mike C]

When sang Blue Moon Of Kentucky Is this on Tape somewhere ?

WE can only hope.....but so far, no tape or acetate or this show has popped up.