the cancellation of the Queeny Pops series and a marked reduction in overall pops concerts by the orchestra. In 1985, he was appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony, serving more than 21 seasons until his retirement in 2006 after which he was named Pops Conductor Laureate. Hayman founded and conducted the Florida Sunshine Pops orchestra in Boca Raton and continued to make guest conducting appearances in the United States and Europe. His biggest hit was the 1953 single "Ruby". Hayman took the theme for the motion picture Ruby Gentry, and through his specially stylized arrangement, utilizing a harmonica as the solo instrument with a large, quasi-symphonic orchestra, the song zoomed to the top of the hit parade all over the world and brought about a renewed interest in the harmonica. It should also be mentioned that the flip side of the 45rpm and 78rpm single hit "Ruby" was the hit "Dansero" which also became an international hit. He continued to chart into the early 1960s with titles such as "Night Train". Hayman's last event with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, where he held the title of Pops Conductor Emeritus, took place on June 27, 2010, to honor his 90th birthday. The St. Louis Metro Singers, who performed with him at many Pops concerts, were also on stage at the event. Hayman is also noted for albums now regarded as Exotica. Death Hayman died at a hospice in New York on February 5, 2014. He was 93. Discography As conductor As arranger References Notes Inline citations External links [ Richard Hayman] at AllMusic 1920 births 2014 deaths 20th-century American composers 20th-century American conductors (music) 21st-century American composers 21st-century American conductors (music) American harmonica players American male composers American male conductors (music) American music arrangers Easy listening musicians