In the early 1940’s writer McKinley Cantor introduced Burl Ives to the great author Carl Sandburg. "It’s a satisfaction," McKinley said, "to bring together the most noted living ballad singer born in  the 19^th century, yourself, and the mightiest ballad singer born in the 20^th century, Burl Ives.

Carl Sandburg pushed a lock of white hair out of his face and looked up at McKinley. "Burl  Ives,"  he said, " is the mightiest ballad singer born in any century!"