The first session for Mercury resulted in two singles:-

• This Weary Heart You Stole Away / I'm Lonesome Without You (Mercury 70217) Sep 1953
• (Say) Won't You Be Mine / Our Last Goodbye (Mercury 70270) Dec 1953

Dr. Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point between 08-10 Aug) at 'Grant's Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival', Salt Creek Park, Hugo, Oklahoma. However, as he was on the 'Down From The Mountain' tour at this time, it's likely that Ralph II led the CMB's on this show.

The festival itself ran from 7-10 August and other acts included: Goldwing Express, Marksmen Quartet, Vince Combs, Southern Gentlemen, The Adairs, Lonesome Whistle, Bluegrass Travelers, Lost Highway Of California, Wildwood Valley Boys, Tennessee Gentlemen, Warrior River Boys, Tim Graves, Billy Joe Foster, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Louisiana Grass, and Liberty Bluegrass.

Dr. Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point between 08-10 Aug) at the 'Milan Bluegrass Festival', KC Campground, Milan, Michigan. However, as he was on the 'Down From The Mountain' tour at this time, it's likely that Ralph II led the CMB's on this show.

The festival itself ran from 8-10 August and other acts included: Jim & Jesse, Dave Evans, Larkin Family, Larry Sparks, Karl Shiflett, Lewis Family, Osborne Bros., Dale Ann Bradley, Northwest Territory, Morning Harvest, Blue Velvet, R & L Express, S & S Express, Tommy Brown, Jericho Road, and Bob Paiseley.

Ralph II appeared at some point at the 'Buckeye Bluegrass Festival', at the Coon Hunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 9-11 August and other acts included: Dave Evans, Vern McIntyre, Bluegrass Mountaineers, Larkins, Whitaker Bros., Muddy Krick, Lloyd Blevins, Coney Carver, Prater Bros., Andy Hamilton, Spanky Moore, and Matheson Family.

Ralph II was listed as appearing (at some point) at the 'Buckeye Bluegrass Festival' at the Coon Hunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 7-9 August and other acts included: Dave Evans, Dailey & Vincent, Bluegrass Mountaineers, James Monroe, Whitaker Bros, Llloyd Blevins, Vernon McIntyre, Andy Hamilton, Coney Carver, and Prater Bros.

Ralph II was listed as appearing (at some point) at the 'Bluegrass Festival' at Hammons Mobile Homes, Fountaintown, Indiana.

The festival itself ran from 9-10 August and other acts included: James King, Coffee Family, All American Band, McCoy Bluegrass, Carl Bentley, and Kody Norris,

Ralph was listed as playing at the '4th Annual Pennsylvania Bluegrass Festival' at Harpers Fireman's Memorial Park, Shade Gap, Pennsylvania.

Other acts included: Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Reno & Harrell, Osborne Bros., Jim & Jesse, Jimmy Martin, Red Smiley, Mac Wiseman, J.E. Mainer, Gov. Jimmie Davis, Grandpa Jones, Chuck Wagon Gang, Country Gentlemen, Bill Emerson & Cliff Waldron, Shenandoah Valley Cut-Ups with Jim Eanes, Goins Bros., and others.

Ralph appeared at the 'Jim Clark Festival' near Breezewood, Pennsylvania.

Advertised as 'Bill Monroe's 4th Annual Kentucky Bluegrass Festival' the show took place at Blue Grass Park on Route 15 just outside Jackson. In addition to Ralph, acts advertised included Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Jim & Jesse, Bluegrass Alliance, Larry Sparks, McClain Family, James Monroe, Goins Brothers, the Parker Family, and Sloan Family.

Ralph was billed as appearing at all four days of Bill Monroe's '5th Annual Kentucky Bluegrass Festival' at the Bluegrass Park in Jackson, Kentucky.

Other acts included: Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Jim & Jesse, Bluegrass Blackjacks, Bluegrass Alliance, James Monroe, Bobby Smith & the Boys From Shiloh, Hubert Davis & the Season Travekers, Outdoor Plumbing Company, Clyde Moody, Sullivan Family, Parker Family, McLain Family, Sloan Family, Red Rector, Larry Sparks and Reno-Harrell.

Ralph was billed as appearing at on the Saturday / Sunday (9-10th Aug) at Bill Monroe's '6th Annual Kentucky Bluegrass Festival', at Blue Grass Park, Jackson, Kentucky.

The festival itself ran from the 8-10th August and other acts included: Bill Monroe, James Monroe, Carl Story, Bluegrass Blackjacks, Outdoor Plumbing Company, Slone Family, McLain Family, Marshall Family, and Mac Wiseman.

Ralph was billed as appearing on Wednesday / Thursday (6-7 Aug) at Bill Grant's '12th Annual Blue Grass And Old Time Music Festival' at Salt Creek Park, Hugo, Oklahoma.

The festival itself ran from 6-10 August and other acts included: Marshall Family, McLain Family, Lewis Family, Osborne Bros., Buck White (with Jerry Douglas & Ricky Skaggs), Mac Wiseman, Rose Maddox, Byron Berline, Josh Graves, Lonnie Glossom, Goins Bros., Hot Rise, High Country, Blue Mountain Blue Grass, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, and the Sossoman Family.

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday / Sunday (9-10 Aug) at the '3rd Annual Shadyhill Bluegrass Festival' at the Shady Hill Race Way, North Judson, Indiana.

The festival itself ran from 8-10th August and other acts included: Larry Sparks, Carl Story, Dave Evans & River Bend, Moore Bros., Bluegrass Blades, Johnson Family, Lum Patton & the Half Mountain Boys, Jimmy Martin, and Goins Bros. Events on the Sunday included an attempt at a world record two man motorcycle jump!

Ralph was billed as appearing on Sunday (9 Aug) at the 'Stone Valley Bluegrass Festival - Bluegrass Spectacular III' in Harrison, Ohio. At the end of Ralph's performance, C.H. (Harvey) Hieronymus from Beattyville, KY was invited up on stage to 'cut a rug'.

The festival itself ran from 7-9 August and other acts included: Seldom Scene, Osborne Bros, JD Crowe, Muddy River, Dave Evans, Buckeye Ridge, Boys From Indiana, Katie Laur Band, Mike Lilly, Appalachian Grass, Walker St. Band, Cross Country, and Mr. Spoons.

Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point) at the Grants' '17th Annual Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival' in Salt Creek Park, Hugo, Oklahoma.

Other acts included: Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Country Gentlemen, Johnson Mountain Boys, Raymond Fairchild, Joe Val, Larry Sparks, Boys From Indiana, Goins Bros, Chubby Wise, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves, Joe Stuart, Emmett Sullivan, Signal Mountain, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Grand Prairie Boys, Shady Grove Ramblers, Don Wiley & the Louisiana Grass, Sossoman Family, Lonnie Glosson, and others.

Ralph was billed as appearing on Friday / Saturday (9-10 Aug) at his 'North Central Ohio Bluegrass Festival' at the Coonhunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 8-11 August and other acts included: Jimmy Martin, Dave Evans, East Kentucky Grass, Full House, Ed Hamilton, Joe Cline, and Harbour Town Grass.

Ralph was billed as appearing at some point at the Grant's '18th Annual Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival' at Salt Creek Park, Hugo, Oklahoma.

The festival itself ran from 6-10 August and other acts included: Lewis Family, Johnson Mountain Boys, Raymond Fairchild, John Hartford, Orange Blossom Bluegrass, Warrior River Boys, Bass Mountain Boys, Chubby Wise, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Signal Mountain Bluegrass, Goins Bros., Shady Grove Ramblers, Don Wiley & the Lousiana Grass, the Out Post Family Band, Redwing, Josh Graves, Kenny Baker, and others.

Ralph played on Friday / Saturday (8-9 Aug) at his 'North Central Ohio Bluegrass Festival' festival at Coonhunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 8-10 August and other acts included: Dave Evans, Harbourtown Grass, Full House, Andy Hamilton & East Kentucky Grass, Jimmy Martin, Plumb Mountain Grass, Ed Hamilton, Bluegrass Mountaineers, Darrel Adkins & Silver Wind.

Ralph played on Friday / Saturday (09-10 Aug) at his 'North Central Ohio's 13th Annual Bluegrass Festival' at the Coonhunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

Billed as being 'presented by Ralph Stanley', the festival itself ran from 8-10 August and other acts included: Charlie Sizemore, Real Lite Grass, and an Onstage Jam, Harbortown Grass, Andy Hamilton & East Kentucky Grass, Lonesome Pine Travelers, East Ohio Grass, Jimmy Martin, and Bluegrass Mountaineers.

Ralph had a show at Hammons Mobile Homes, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point between 1-3 Sept) at the 'Strawberry Fair Music Festival', Camp Mather, Yosemite, California.

The festival itself ran from 29 August to 1 September and other acts included: David Grisman, Austin Lounge Lizards, Kate Brislin, Katie Moffatt, Pete Wernick;s Live Five, and Riders In The Sky.

Ralph was listed as appearing at a Festival, in Greenwich, Ohio along with the Warrior River Boys. This may however be spurious, as there are conflicting booking/recording sessions.

Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point) at the 'North Central Ohio Bluegrass Festival' at the Coonhunters Club, Greenwich, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 7-10 August and other acts included: Cedar Bluff, Timely Connection, Foxtail Grass, Rock Bottom, Blanton Family, Cross Roads, Coney Carver, Five For The Gospel, Lou Reid & Carolina, Charlie Sizeore, East Kentucky Grass, and Larry Stephenson.

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (9 Aug) at the '6th Annual Big Hill Mountain Family Bluegrass Festival', 8 miles south of Berea, Kentucky.

The festival itself ran from 7-9 August and other acts included: Goins Bros., Larry Sparks, IIIrd Tyme Out, Bluegrass Strangers, Eastbound, Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, Larry Fuller, One Way Track, Larkin Family, Brickey Bros., Brush Creek Grass, and North Fork.

Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point) at the '30th Annual Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival' at Salt Creek Park, Hugo, Oklahoma.

The festival itself ran from 5-9 August and other acts included: Lewis Family, Dave Evans, Isaacs, Tennessee Gentlemen, Adairs, Schankman Twins, Smoky Ridge, Rarely Herd, Karl Shiflett, Goins Bros., Gary Brewer, Billy Joe Foster's Special, Louisiana Grass, Red Wing, Twice As Nice, Sullivans, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Big Sandy, Blue River Sound, Joe Smith, Alan Philps, and Larkin Family.

Ralph had a show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point) at the '4th Annual Milan Bluegrass Festival' at KC Campground, Milan, Michigan.

The festival itself ran from 9-11 August and other acts included: Jim & Jesse, Karl Shiflett, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Stephenson, Dale Ann Bradley, Dave Evans, Goldwing Express, Osborne Bros., RFD Boys, R & L Express, Blue Velvet, S & S Express, The Travelers, Melvin Goins, Foxtail Grass, and Jericho Road.

Ralph appeared as part of the 'Down From The Mountain' tour at the Cynthia Woods Pavillion, Spring, Texas. Other acts included: Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminiski, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Norman Blake, and Fairfield Four. Tickets cost $19.50 - $59.50.

Ralph appeared at the Great Lakes Folk Festival, Valley Court Park, East Lansing, Michigan. The band were scheduled to appear at 8:15pm and the festival also included a screening of The Ralph Stanley Story in the afternoon in the MSU Union Gold Room.

The festival itself ran from 8-9 August and other acts included: Ginny Hawker & Tracy Schwarz, Lare Williams & New Direction, Joe Weaver, Alberta Adams, Uncle Jessie White, Johnnie Bassett, Barra MacNeils, Cathie Ryan, Feufollet, Gaylord Klancnik Orchestra, Dudley & Jacqueline Laufman, Nick Villarreal, Skalmusic, Stella Chiweshe, Steven Greenman Klezmer Ensemble, George Kahumoku Jr., and Tamburitza Rroma Group.

Ralph appeared on Thursday (9 Aug) at the "Edmonton Folk Music Festival" at Gallagher Park, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The festival itself ran from 9-12 August and other acts included: City & Colour, Nanci Griffith, Mary Margret O'Hara, Michael Franti, African Guitar Summit, Karla Anderson, Baka Beyond, Beau Soleil avec Michael Doucet, Kim Beggs, Eric - Leon & Yana Bibb, Black Umfolossi, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Blue Rodeo, Bill Bourne, Buck 65, Sarah Burnell, Jim Byrnes, Campbell Brothers, Guy Clark, Compadres, Crooked Still, Dala, Kat Danser, Damien Dempsey, Roy Forbes, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Don Freed & the Woodlands Cree Kids Choir, Amos Garrett & the Festival House Band, Mary Gauthier, Jackie Greene, Rob Heath, Jessica Heine, James Hunter, Connie Kaldor, Marie Knight, Seth Lakeman, Penny Lang, Little Willie Littlefield, Los De Abajo, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit, Tony McManus, Amy Millan, Mortail Coil, T. Nile, Justin Nozuka, Ollabelle, Ndidi Onukwulu, Ozomati, Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective, Utah Phillips, Justin Rutledge, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Darrell Scott, Martin Sexton, Martin Simpson, Marty Stuart, Tagaq & Celina Kalluk, Vieux Farka Toure, and Tim Williams.

Ralph was listed as appearing at part of Buckhill Falls Summer Concert Series, The Tennis Tea, Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania.

Ralph had a show at The Tennis Tea, Buckhill Falls, Pennsylvania.

At this session on the 9th Ralph Stanley, Ralph II, Jack Cooke and James Price helped David Grisman record All The Good Times Are Past And Gone. The following day Ralph sang tenor to David Grisman's lead vocal on Man Of Constant Sorrow with Herb Pedersen, Laurie Lewis and Jim Kerwin. Both tracks were released on David Grisman's CD: Life Of Sorrow (Acoustic Disc ACD53) 2003.

Charlie's second album Gravel Road (Rutabaga RR-3013) 1988 was recorded at River Track Studios in Louisa, Ky, over three days in Aug. 1988. The final session took place on the 13th.