While we're on nostalgia kick here I'll pass along the news that legendary radio announcer Frank Page, the man who introduced Elvis Presley to his first paying audience, died yesterday here in my town at 87. Page was in at the beginning of the Louisiana Hayride, sharing the stage with such fledgling stars as Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Nat Stuckey, Johnny Cash, Red Sovine, Faron Young, Slim Whitman, Claude King, and many others, including Elvis.
In 1954 Elvis had just begun to attract some attention with his new style of music that nobody knew how to describe. He was called the "Hillbilly Cat" for lack of a better name. His appearance on the Hayride, which was broadcast on KWKH radio on Saturday nights, was the first time he played for ticket-buying fans. I was listening that night out of curiosity more than enthrallment.
Frank Page introduced Elvis rather matter-of-factly, mainly because he really didn't know much about him at the time. He was virtually unknown except to a small but loyal following of teens. Elvis ripped through "That's All Right, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". The audience, packed with teens, responded wildly, and a legend was born. The Hayride signed Elvis for a two-year contract, which he manfully fulfilled even though he quickly outgrew the venue.
It was during this period (1956) that another KWKH announcer,Horace Logan, first uttered the now-famous "Elvis has left the building" in an effort to keep frantic teenagers in their seats so that the other performers on the Hayride could have an audience as well.
In 1954 Elvis had just begun to attract some attention with his new style of music that nobody knew how to describe. He was called the "Hillbilly Cat" for lack of a better name. His appearance on the Hayride, which was broadcast on KWKH radio on Saturday nights, was the first time he played for ticket-buying fans. I was listening that night out of curiosity more than enthrallment.
Frank Page introduced Elvis rather matter-of-factly, mainly because he really didn't know much about him at the time. He was virtually unknown except to a small but loyal following of teens. Elvis ripped through "That's All Right, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". The audience, packed with teens, responded wildly, and a legend was born. The Hayride signed Elvis for a two-year contract, which he manfully fulfilled even though he quickly outgrew the venue.
It was during this period (1956) that another KWKH announcer,Horace Logan, first uttered the now-famous "Elvis has left the building" in an effort to keep frantic teenagers in their seats so that the other performers on the Hayride could have an audience as well.
