when did elvis presley get his first guitar
Elvis Presley
In September 1941 , Presley entered first grade at East Tupelo Consolidated , where his instructors regarded him as `` average '' . He was encouraged to enter a singing contest after impressing his schoolteacher with a rendition of Red Foley 's country song `` Old Shep '' during morning prayers . The contest , held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3 , 1945 , was his first public performance . Ten - year - old Presley was dressed as a cowboy ; he stood on a chair to reach the microphone and sang `` Old Shep '' . He recalled placing fifth . A few months later , Presley received his first guitar for his birthday ; he had hoped for something else -- by different accounts , either a bicycle or a rifle . Over the following year , he received basic guitar lessons from two of his uncles and the new pastor at the family 's church . Presley recalled , `` I took the guitar , and I watched people , and I learned to play a little bit . But I would never sing in public . I was very shy about it . '' 
In September 1941 , Presley entered first grade at East Tupelo Consolidated , where his instructors regarded him as `` average '' . He was encouraged to enter a singing contest after impressing his schoolteacher with a rendition of Red Foley 's country song `` Old Shep '' during morning prayers . The contest , held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3 , 1945 , was his first public performance . Ten - year - old Presley was dressed as a cowboy ; he stood on a chair to reach the microphone and sang `` Old Shep '' . He recalled placing fifth . A few months later , Presley received his first guitar for his birthday ; he had hoped for something else -- by different accounts , either a bicycle or a rifle . Over the following year , he received basic guitar lessons from two of his uncles and the new pastor at the family 's church . Presley recalled , `` I took the guitar , and I watched people , and I learned to play a little bit . But I would never sing in public . I was very shy about it . ''
The contest, held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3, 1945, was his first public performance.  A few months later, Presley received his first guitar for his birthday.
The contest , held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3 , 1945 , was his first public performance . A few months later , Presley received his first guitar for his birthday ; he had hoped for something else -- by different accounts , either a bicycle or a rifle .
A few months after the contest , held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3 , 1945, Presley received his first guitar for his birthday.
The contest , held at the Mississippi -- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3 , 1945 , was his first public performance . A few months later , Presley received his first guitar for his birthday ; he had hoped for something else -- by different accounts , either a bicycle or a rifle .