Perhaps it'a a case of "a prophet in his own country"

Obviously as a child growing up in the UK in the 40's and early 50's I was not aware of the political situation in the USA and my only contact with folk or popular music was Children's Favourites on the radio on a Saturday morning.

I can't remember any other folksinger featuring in the way Burl Ives did, so I feel that, without his influence, I may not have developed my love of the genre.