Jan 1, 1956

Elvis Presley performs two shows with Hank Snow and Webb Pierce at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. It kicks off the year that Presley is transformed from a regional act to a superstar

Jan 1, 1956

Sun Records releases Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes"

Jan 1, 1955

Jim Reeves rings in the new year with American soldiers in Stuttgart, Germany, during a USO tour of Europe

Jan 1, 1955

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs move to Nashville to make regular appearances on WSM's radio and television stations, and the Grand Ole Opry

Jan 1, 1955

British conglomerate EMI takes a controlling interest in Capitol Records, whose roster has included--or will include--Tennessee Ernie Ford, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and Buck Owens, among others

Jan 1, 1955

Elvis Presley's second management contract, with Bob Neal, goes into effect. Neal will receive 15% of Presley's earnings, plus 10% for promotional expenses

Jan 1, 1955

Colonel Tom Parker becomes Hank Snow's manager

Jan 1, 1954

A decade after he earned a pair of country hits, Bing Crosby is featured on the cover of TV Guide

Jan 1, 1953

Marvin Rainwater writes "Heart's Hall Of Fame." The next day, it becomes the first song he records

Jan 1, 1953

Justin Tubb attends the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where the Texas Longhorns shut out the Tennessee Volunteers, 16-0