Burl Ives was an American folksinger and actor who was active from the 1930s to the 1970s. He is best known for his signature song 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' and his role as narrator in the animated television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He was also a prolific recording artist, releasing over 50 albums of traditional folk music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980.