Last week I revisited the first few chapters of Peter Guralnick’s masterful two-volume Elvis Presley biography, “Last Train To Memphis/Careless Love”. The life-changing influence of several early mentors in Elvis’ childhood seemed to leap off the page.
Here are five stories about people who encouraged the talent of a young Elvis Aaron Presley and the power within each of us to mentor others on their path to success.
Any Day Now
Like any exceptional instructor, Elvis’ fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Oleta Grimes, was skilled at spotting special talents in her students. Over time she became so impressed with the boy’s singing she informed Mr. Cole, the school principal, about her shy young vocalist.
Mr. Cole saw an opportunity to encourage the boy and took the initiative.
He entered Elvis in the children’s talent contest at the annual Mississippi-Alabama Fair. A few days later, the ten-year-old balladeer awaited his turn on a stage in downtown Tupelo. He had to climb up a chair just to reach the microphone.
Without any accompaniment, he sang “Old Shep” by Red Foley and Arthur Williams, a bittersweet song about a boy and his trusty dog. The date was Wednesday, October 3, 1945.
Elvis Presley had just given his first official public performance.
Neither Mrs. Grimes nor Mr. Cole could have imagined their small but special place in music history. However, they were wise enough to know they were making a little history for someone that day.
That someone happened to be a quiet young boy who loved to sing, and was even pretty good at it.
He just needed a gentle nudge to feel his talent in action and see it come alive.
Guitar Man
Elvis got his first guitar on his eleventh birthday, not too long after his “Old Shep” rendition at the fair. He was all raw talent and passion, but he needed help developing his musical gifts.
Enter Frank Smith. Local pastor, neighbor and guitar picker.
Smith would always remain humble about how much credit to take for teaching Elvis guitar.
“I would show him some runs and different chords from what he was learning in his book. That was all: not enough to say I taught him how to play, but I helped him.”
“That was all.” What a striking reflection.
How many people played guitar within a three mile radius of the Presley house in East Tupelo in the mid-1940s? We’ll never know.
Here’s the better question. How many people took the time to teach a younger musician what they knew about playing guitar?
We know at least one did, and his name was Frank Smith.
One mentor’s “that was all” may be another person’s “that was everything.”
For The Heart
James Ausborn was one of Elvis’ buddies at East Tupelo Consolidated. His older brother was a rising local entertainer who performed under the name Mississippi Slim. He even had his own radio show on Tupelo-based WELO.
As Ausborn recalls, “He (Elvis) was crazy about music. That’s all he talked about.”
Elvis always wanted he and James to go check out Slim’s show. He wanted to get closer to the music. To understand this thing he felt so deeply. This mysterious sonic magic that transported him and moved his soul.
Whenever he got the chance, Elvis would show Slim a new chord he’d learned on the guitar or play a few songs for him. Slim might act like he didn’t have time for his little brother and his friend with the guitar, but he always ended up indulging them with some attention.
One day, Slim went to a Tex Ritter show in nearby Nettleton. After playing a few songs, Tex stopped his performance and said, “There’s old Mississippi Slim sitting out there in the front row!” Tex went out to shake Slim’s hand and even invited him on stage to play a song for the crowd.
Slim never forgot Tex’s acknowledgement and encouragement in such a public forum.
Neither did Elvis.
Just as Elvis was encouraged by Slim, Slim was encouraged by Tex.
As his own career took off, Elvis would similarly do his best to sign autographs, greet his fans and thank them for their support.
He knew the power behind even a few moments of attention and encouragement to a young admirer.
That’s When Your Heartache Begins
In eighth grade, some of the rougher boys in Elvis’ class grabbed his guitar and cut the strings.
Can you imagine?
Your family’s dirt poor. One of the few things you have going for you is a cheap guitar and your music. Then, a few bullies break your prized possession. That’s one sad scene.
But it didn’t last long.
Elvis’ classmates got together, collected their spare change and bought him new strings.
Whose idea was it to pass the hat for their broken-hearted classmate that day?
That Mississippi kid is my hero. He or she saw an injustice and led the charge to address it. The Presleys carried this same ethos into their own lives.
“There were times we had nothing to eat but corn bread and water,” recalled Vernon, “but we always had compassion for people. Poor we were, I’ll never deny that. But trash we weren’t…We never had any prejudice. We never put anybody down. Neither did Elvis.”
True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
Not too long after his classmates had rallied to his aid, Elvis had to say goodbye to Tupelo. The Presleys were moving again, this time to Memphis.
His first day at Humes High didn’t turn out as expected. Elvis walked back home almost as soon as Vernon had dropped him off.
His father was perplexed. What in the world was going on?
His son looked shell-shocked. The school’s enrollment was an intimidating 1,600 students, he didn’t know where the office was and classes had already started. Elvis was overwhelmed. Worse, he told Vernon he thought the kids would laugh at him.
As Guralnick writes in “Last Train To Memphis”:
His father, a taciturn, suspicious man, understood: in some ways the Presleys gave the impression to both relatives and neighbors that they lived in their own private world. “I thought about it a minute,” said Vernon, “and I knew what he meant. So I said, ‘Son, that’s all right for today, but tomorrow you be there, nine o’clock, and no foolin’!'”
Mystery Train
One can’t help but smile in admiration at the scene and Vernon’s thoughtful response.
He knew how it felt to be an outsider. He also knew when a person needed encouragement instead of a reprimand.
Elvis went back to school the following day. However, that day, he stayed home. After all, his dad was learning what Mrs. Grimes had sensed back at the state fair.
This boy’s talent belonged on a stage, not in a study hall.
Did you know the most successful teams have a ratio of five compliments to every one criticism?
Whether you know someone who lights up a stage, a class room or a board room, find a way to highlight one of their talents today. Encourage them to develop it and master it.
They may not be the next Elvis, but your influence will help them achieve their best with the gifts they have. When we match our talents with our goals it leads to spectacular and unexpected results.
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