This recording which was released as Burning Bluegrass (MAG RSR-293) 1976, features a very young Junior Blankenship on lead guitar, as well as his Dad Hillard Snr on rhythm. Junior would of course be a mainstay of the CMB's for many years, whilst Hillard Snr also drove Ralph's tour bus.

Ralph II led the CMB's at a show at The Prism Coffeehouse, Charlottesville, Virginia. The band were scheduled to do two shows at 7 and 9:30pm. Tickets cost $15 - $25.

At this session Ralph cut all the songs for the LP Over The Sunset Hill (King 1032) 1968. George Shuffler, who couldn't make the recording had to overdub the bass parts at a later date…

One 45 was also released from the session:-

• Over The Sunset Hill / Going Up Home (To Live In Green Pastures) (King 45-6179) 1968

Ralph was a booking over two days at The Corral, LaPlate, Maryland.

Ralph played a show at the Station Inn, Nashville, Tennessee.

Ralph had a show at Russell Springs Elementary School, Russell Springs, Kentucky. Advance tickets cost $4 with $5 on the door (children 6-12 $1).

Ralph appeared at a benefit concert at Heritage Hall Phipps Nursing Home, Clintwood, Virginia. Tickets cost $3 and all proceeds went to the residents fund, which bought items they could not otherwise afford.

Ralph had a show on the third floor of the Reed Opera House, Salem, Oregon. The concert was organised by the Salem Folklore Association and Salem Bluegrass Association. Tickets cost $10 in advance (or $9 for Association members), and $9 on the door.

Ralph was listed as appearing on Sunday (21 Feb) at the '4th Annual Pioneer Bluegrass Days', Pioneer Arizona living history museum in Pioneer, Arizona.

The festival itself ran from 20-21 Feb and other acts included: Frog Mountain, Shady Creek Band, Paradox Bluegrass, Grasswhackers, Out Of The Blue, Goldrush, Hillwallys, Front Page News, McNasty Bros, and Lost Highway.

Ralph had a show at Boulder Theater, Boulder, Colorado..

Ralph had a show at Mexicali Live, Teaneck, New Jersey. Tickets cost $50.

"Dr Ralph Stanley's 88th Birthday Dinner & Fundraiser" took place at the Holiday Inn, Bristol, Virginia. The event, which raised money for the Ralph Stanley Museum, included Clearwater Branch, Virginia Whirlwind, UVA-Wise Bluegrass Band, Nathan Stanley & the CMBs, and 'Special guests'. Dinner was included & tickets cost $100 per plate.