Ebet Roberts/Redferns via Getty ImagesAt the time, Black artists were dismissed to "race music" record labels and radio stations. Blackwell began to pivot his focus from commercial recordings to songwriting, with demonstration records of his compositions keeping his sound alive.
Aaron "Goldie" Goldmark at Shalimar Music Publishing is one of many notable music publishers that quickly developed a liking of Blackwell's vocals and lyrics. He was well-connected to Presley's entourage and organized getting Blackwell's demos in front of him for consideration.
Source: Washington Post, Songwriters Hall of Fame