(August 20, 1955) The Louisiana Hayride, Shreveport, Louisiana

LIVE BROADCAST RECORDINGS FOR ELVIS PRESLEY FOR KWKH'S LOUISIANA HAYRIDE, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, 1955 MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, 705 GRAND AVENUE AND MILAM STREET, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA SESSION HOURS: SATURDAY 8:00 PM AUGUST 20, 1955 VIEWING TIME TV-STATION KWKH 1 FAIRCHILDER TAPE RECORDER PRODUCER - HORACE LOGAN RECORDING ENGINEER - BOB SULLIVAN During the late part of August 1955 and unbeknownst to Colonel Tom Parker, Bob Neal was already negotiating with Horage Logan a renewal of Elvis' Hayride contract. The current first year contract was going to an and on November 12, 1955. All decisions, with respect to Elvis' career, had to go through the Colonel's office according to an agreement signed in the previous month, naming Colonel Tom Parker as ''Special Advisor''. On this particular occasion, Bob Neal decided to take it upon himself to obtain some security for Elvis, but also more than likely, was asserting his indepentdence from Colonel Tom Parker. The contract was prepared and signed during the first week of September as reported in the Shreveport Times on September 8, 1955. Once again his parent's co-signed the contract as Elvis was still under the age of 21. The Hayride would now pick up the Presley option for $200 an appearance which was a fair increase compared to his current contract that paid the union scale of $18 a show. The contract also stipulated that, ''...artist is given the right to miss one Saturday performance during each 60 day period''. Horage Logan alse added a sideline note that $400 must be paid to the Hayride for every additional show Elvis would miss. All this was done very much to the objection of Colonel Tom Parker. He urged Vernon Presley (Elvis' father) not to sign the agreement, as he felt that there was no need for a committed contract. He was close of a new recording contract with a major label. However, in Vernon's mind wanting some kind of financial security, he signed the agreement that took hold on November 11, 1955, just as Elvis present contract would end. "INTRO/BABY, LETS PLAY HOUSE" - B.M.I. - 3:17 Composer: - Arthur Gunter Publisher: - Fort Knox Music Incorporated Matrix number: - None Recorded: - August 20, 1955 Released: - 1983 First appearance: - Louisiana Hayride (LP) 33rpm NR-8973 mono LOUISIANA HAYRIDE Reissued: - November 2011 Memphis Recording Service (CD) 500/200rpm MRS 30001256-13 mono THE COMPLETE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE ARCHIVES 1954-1956 "INTRO/MAYBELLENE" - B.M.I. - 2:39 Composer: - Chuck Berry-Frato Reed Publisher: - Arc Music Corporation - Isalee Music Publishers Matrix number: - WPA5-2536 Recorded: - August 20, 1955 Released: - 1983 First appearance: - Louisiana Hayride (LP) 33rpm NR-8973 mono LOUISIANA HAYRIDE Reissued: - November 2011 Memphis Recording Service (CD) 500/200rpm MRS 30001256-14 mono THE COMPLETE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE ARCHIVES 1954-1956 In the early 1950s Chuck Berry performed Bob Wills's song "Ida Red" in his nightclub act, imitating the popular country singers of the day. After signing with Chess records, "Ida Red" was Berry's first recording. He reportedly recorded 36 takes before a version was judged suitable for release. The title was changed to "Maybellene" after Berry remembered a cow named "Maybellene" in a childhood nursery rhyme. "Maybellene" (Chess 1604) became a number one rhythm and blues hit in 1955. It also did well on the Top 100 chart, peaking at number 5. Sales exceeded one million copies. "INTRO/THAT'S ALL RIGHT" -– B.M.I. - 2:31 Composer: - Arthur Crudup Publisher: - Hi-Lo Music Incorporated - Arthur Crudup Music Matrix number: - None - False Start 1 - False Start 2 Recorded: - August 20, 1955 Released: - 1983 First appearance: - Louisiana Hayride (LP) 33rpm NR-8973 mono LOUISIANA HAYRIDE Reissued: - November 2011 Memphis Recording Service (CD) 500/200rpm MRS 30001256-15 mono THE COMPLETE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE ARCHIVES 1954-1956 ''LOUISIANA HAYRIDE OUTTRO'' - 0:44 First appearance: - November 2011 Memphis Recording Service (CD) 500/200rpm MRS 30001256-23 mono THE COMPLETE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE ARCHIVES 1954-1956 Name (Or. No. Of Instruments) Elvis Presley - Vocal and Acoustic Rhythm Guitar (Martin Dreadnought 18) Scotty Moore - Electric Lead Guitar (Gibson ES 295) Bill Black - Acoustic Upright Bass (Kay Maestro M-1) Dominic Joseph Fontana - Drums (Gretsch Round Badge Kit) In closing out the Sun era, it's important to remember the part of Sam Phillips. But it's just as important to know that Elvis, Scotty, and Bill would also be working on innovative ways to make this music successful. © - 706 UNION AVENUE SESSIONS - ©