Ralph presents programs in New England folk stories, sea stories, Celtic folktales, and literary stories ranging from Mark Twain to science fiction. He also tells his own stories for children and long folktales that enchant (how’s that for hyperbolic language) both children and adults. Solo, or tandem-telling with his wife Margaret, he also performs stories by the English writer Saki and a Christmas program including Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

     He has told to professional meetings the story of how he came to be on the dedication page of the novel The Hunt for Red October, starting with the MX-Basing-Scheme-of-the-Month-Club and ending with how, based upon a comparison of the money earned subsequent to their first meeting, Ralph must be several thousand times more inspiring than Tom Clancy. This program often includes how Ralph was told by NASA’s 1980 Astronaut selection committee that he was too susceptible to motion sickness and could go back to sea. Ralph usually titles this program “the Wrong Stuff.”

The Chatham Tapes
(not to be confused with the Nixon tapes):

40 to 60 full minutes in each tape of guaranteed tell-tested tales for adults & children.
$12 each including postage

This is our bond:
If you are not entertained amused, &/or edified by these tapes, you may return them. Period.

This offer void where prohibited by law. Not available in Canada or after October 15, 1948

Unsolicited praise for Jack and the Good Old Things:

“Absolutely hysterical. I keep the tape in my car for long rides. My son who is four and a half loves it too, even though he doesn’t understand the half of it.”

Shari Lynn

“My wife asked why I was laughing so hard down in my study.”

Richard Martin, Germany

“I want my money back!”

Bill Mayhew (Engrossed in listening to Jack he went 5 miles past his familiar exit and had to pay the Baltimore tunnel toll twice to get back.)

Solicited praise for Clever Jill and the Peach Tree of Doom:

“Ralph’s best tape since Jack and the Good Old Things!”

R.C.

“A very nice box.”

John Chatham

AND unsolicited praise, too:

“I liked it a lot. It’s quirky, erudite, full of surprises, and, TA-DAH fun!”

Michael Parent

“You do much to further the consideration of women. ... It is done in such an entertaining manner and with such wit and humor that the message is easily received.”

Mary Lambert