Welcome back to pplpod! In today's episode, we explore the fascinating six-decade career of the iconic American singer and actor, Burl Ives. We trace his roots from a college dropout and itinerant singer traveling the country with his banjo, to the host of The Wayfaring Stranger radio show, where he popularized traditional American folk songs like "The Blue Tail Fly," "Foggy Dew," and "Big Rock Candy Mountain".

This episode dives into the highs and lows of Ives's career, including the controversial 1950s Hollywood blacklist era. We discuss his decision to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) to save his career—a move that ended his blacklisting but caused a bitter, decades-long rift with fellow folk legend Pete Seeger. We also cover his massive success on the silver screen, including his legendary Broadw ...