i am going to buy some music for my grandmother's birthday. she really
likes the music that inspired elvis to do what he did.... the music he
listened to...but i dont know what music he listened to

Hello omegacoo,

Here are three albums that appear to be appropriate:

"Songs That Made Elvis Famous"
Tower Records
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=2732065

"Songs for Elvis" (Release Date: Mar 21, 2005)
Tower Records
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=3241221

"Songs for Elvis" (Release Date: June 28, 2004)
Tower Records
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=3060460

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google for:

"songs that inspired elvis"

Searched on Tower Records and Amazon.com for:

arthur crudup elvis
"songs for elvis"
"songs that made elvis famous"

Roy Orbison

Elvis was most influenced by Gospel music, country, bluegrass (or
Hillbilly).  Bluegrass is like folk music in that the songwriters are
mostly unknown (handed down in the oral tradition), but have been made
famous by musicians of the time.  The best example of an artist who
must have influenced Elvis Presley would be Bill Monroe's (considered
the founder of Bluegrass music in its true form) "Blue Moon of
Kentucky"; a tune which has been re offered by many over the years. 
Elvis did an adaptation which has also been redone many times.  Not to
be overlooked, American blues music as performed by prominent black
musicians such as Leadbelly and assuredly Muddy Waters found their way
into Elvis' ears on many a magical evening enchanted by old time
radio.
I would recommend re releases (recordings) by Bill Monroe, Jimmy
Rodgers, and throw in some Little Richard, or Muddy Waters, and Carl
Perkins (great rocker who wrote "Blue Suede Shoes").