01 grand am fuel pump

On my 01 Grand Am 3.4 litre, I'm not sure but I think my fuel pump might be on it's way out.  I've been having an intermittent problem with it not sending fuel to injectors thus car just cranks but no fire.  A friend told me to beat the hell out of the gas tank that maybe something could be shook out, sure enough it worked.  A couple weeks later same thing happend I tried the same thing, this time was a no go.  I could hear the pump wine each time I tried the key.  I checked the pressure valve to see if gas was going up and it was pretty much dry.  After cycling the key to on and off for about 20 minutes finally the pump got enough fuel up to start, and things were fine again for awhile.  This has happend twice since, within about 6 to 8 weeks apart.  This is only on the first start of the day.  I wonder if this could even be electrical.   If anyone has any suggestions it would be most appreciated.

Thanks     Hoppy

i hear this soooo many times. before you go and replace the pump........change the fuel filter. ive seen them be totally plugged so bad nothing would go through them. and since you hear it come on, but get nothing at the pressure valve.....there you go. something is blocking the fuel before it gets to the regulator. i.e. the filter is plugged more than likely.