Burl Ives was a true American original. A gifted folk singer, actor, and radio personality, his career lasted over six decades and left a lasting impression across multiple generations. From humble beginnings in Illinois to stages and screens worldwide, Ives used his distinct baritone voice and folksy charm to become a household name.
He not only won an Academy Award but also helped preserve and popularize traditional American folk music, children’s songs, and holiday classics.
| Full Name | Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | June 14, 1909 |
| Birthplace | Jasper County, Illinois, USA |
| Death | April 14, 1995 (aged 85) |
| Occupation | Folk Singer, Actor, Author, Radio Personality |
| Years Active | 1930s–1993 |
| Notable Songs | “Lavender Blue”, “A Little Bitty Tear”, “Funny Way of Laughin'”, “Call Me Mr. In-Between”, “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, “Silver and Gold” |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1958), Grammy Hall of Fame, National Medal of Arts (1993) |
Early Life and Musical Roots
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was born on June 14, 1909, in Jasper County, Illinois. Raised in a musical family, Ives showed early talent. At the age of four, he sang “Barbara Allen” at a soldiers’ reunion, a sign of things to come.
Though he enrolled at Eastern Illinois State Teachers College (now Eastern Illinois University), he eventually dropped out. That didn’t stop his alma mater from honoring him decades later by naming a building after him.
In 1929, Ives recorded a trial single, “Behind the Clouds,” for Gennett Records in Indiana. The label rejected the song and destroyed the record, but this setback didn’t discourage him. He spent the early 1930s traveling around the country as a wandering minstrel, performing folk songs while working odd jobs. Eventually, he began appearing on Indiana radio station WBOW and studied music at the Juilliard School in New York.
Rise to Fame in Radio and Film
Ives gained national attention in the 1940s with his CBS radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger. It featured folk ballads and narratives, helping revive interest in traditional American songs. He became affiliated with the Almanac Singers, a left-wing folk group that included future legends like Pete Seeger. The group supported pro-labor and anti-fascist causes, especially before America entered World War II.
During the war, Ives enlisted in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of corporal. He was stationed in New Jersey and New York and appeared in the 1943 film This Is the Army.
After being discharged in 1943 for medical reasons, Ives moved to California and continued working in radio and film. His first notable role was as a singing cowboy in the 1946 movie Smoky. He also collaborated with The Andrews Sisters on “The Blue Tail Fly,” helping to popularize the folk tune.
Breakthrough Music Career
Ives’ musical breakthrough came in 1948 with “Lavender Blue,” an adaptation of a 17th-century English ballad. The song, featured in Disney’s So Dear to My Heart (1949), earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and became his first major hit.
Signed to Decca Records, Ives began releasing a string of successful singles. Notable among them were:
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“Riders in the Sky” (1949) – #21 Pop, #8 Country
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“A Little Bitty Tear” (1961) – #9 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary, #2 Country
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“Funny Way of Laughin'” (1962) – #10 Pop, #9 Country
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“Call Me Mr. In-Between” (1962) – #19 Pop, #3 Country
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“Mary Ann Regrets” (1962) – #39 Pop, #12 Country
His music blended folk, country, and pop, appealing to a wide audience. Ives was especially popular during the early 1960s, when crossover hits were rare.
Oscar-Winning Acting Career
Ives also had a prominent acting career. He appeared in more than 30 films, often playing characters with a strong moral presence or patriarchal authority. Notable film roles included:
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East of Eden (1955)
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Desire Under the Elms (1958)
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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
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Wind Across the Everglades (1958)
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The Big Country (1958) – for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
On stage, he had a successful run on Broadway, beginning in the late 1930s. He was admired for his natural delivery and strong voice, which translated well across media.
Christmas and Children’s Recordings
To many, Burl Ives is best known for his contributions to Christmas music. His performances of “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silver and Gold” became iconic after being featured in the 1964 stop-motion TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. These songs remain holiday standards to this day.
In addition to his holiday hits, Ives also recorded several albums for children. Titles included:
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Animal Fair: Songs for Children (1949)
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Mother Goose Songs (1949)
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Children’s Favorites (1956)
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Burl Ives Sings Little White Duck and Other Children’s Favorites (1959)
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Chim Chim Cheree and Other Children’s Favorites (1964)
His warm and grandfatherly persona made him a favorite among children and parents alike.
Later Years and Legacy
By the mid-1960s, Ives’ commercial success in pop music began to fade. Still, he remained active in entertainment. He performed live, appeared on TV shows, and continued recording traditional folk and gospel music. He also published autobiographical works and children’s books.
In 1994, doctors diagnosed Ives with oral cancer, likely a result of decades of pipe smoking. After multiple unsuccessful surgeries, he retired from public life and passed away on April 14, 1995, at his home in Anacortes, Washington. He was 85.
Legacy and Recognition
Burl Ives left behind a legacy that cuts across multiple generations. He played a key role in popularizing American folk music during a time when it was in danger of fading. He bridged the gap between rural tradition and mainstream media.
He won an Oscar, received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also received the National Medal of Arts in 1993.
His recordings continue to be reissued and enjoyed by both older fans and new listeners discovering his work for the first time.