Elvis did better on the Hayride than he did at the Opry

Today's Morning Edition music is from 60 years ago today, when Elvis Presley performed on the Louisiana Hayride for the first time.

The Hayride was a live country music radio program similar to the Grand Ole Opry. Elvis had appeared on the Opry a few weeks before and did not impress. He was not invited back.

The crowd at the Louisiana Hayride was more enthusiastic. After that show, Elvis was signed on to be a regular on the Louisiana Hayride for the next year.