The success of the album Modern Sounds in Country And Western Music in 1962 paved the way for Charles's creative freedom as an artist. Throughout the rest of his career, he continued to showcase his deep affinity for country music. The album Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues from 1965 (also known as Together Again) features Ray's timeless rendition of Buck Owens' country standard "Together Again." It is also notable for being the first album Charles recorded in his own recording studio, RPM International. On the 1996 album Crying Time, Ray delivers the definitive version of this Owens song, which earned him the GRAMMY for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and recognition as the producer of the Best R&B Recording by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. As if that weren't enough, the album also boasts the #1 Billboard hit "Let's Go Get Stoned."