Burl Ives was an American folk singer and actor who was born in 1909. He is best known for his signature song, 'Big Rock Candy Mountain, ' as well as his renditions of traditional folk songs such as 'Foggy Dew' and 'The Blue Tail Fly.' He was also a prolific actor, appearing in films such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Big Country. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1958 for his performance in The Big Country. Ives was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980.