"Whatever his politics and moral fiber (or lack of same) Burl Ives was probably personally responsible for the Folk Revival."

I would agree with you, Dick. He was probably my first introduction to folk music.
Maybe next was Josh White and Richard Dyer-Bennet.

As far as his guitar playing being "adequate" that says a lot considering all the guitar hotshots who over arrange their accompaniments. Burl's guitar was appropriate so that the words could come through, his diction being impeccable.

But we have to give Pete Seeger his due as a one man publicity agent for the rise of the Folk Revival, introducing and promoting so many such as Sonny Terry, Leadbelly, along with Alan Lomax, Woody Guthrie, Odetta (yes Pete was there), and many songwriters such as Tom Paxton et. al.