Richie is still involved with music, as a composer and instrumentalist. In August 2007, he debuted a classical composition entitled "Suite for Drums and Orchestra" (based on themes from "West Side Story") with the Pasadena Pops. Richie Ramone was both the featured soloist and the concerto's co-composer, something no other punk rock drummer has done. The work was commissioned by Pops music director Rachael Worby and was met with acclaim by critics who noted that Richie "brought the audience to its feet after his faster-than-the- human-eye-can-follow drumming". Richie continues to play at the annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bashes and is in preparation to go on tour with his new band. In 2011, the Ramones were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. During Richie Ramone's speech at the awards ceremony, Richie noted that it was the first time in history that all three drummers were under the same roof, and mused that he couldn't "...help thinking that Ramone is watching us right now with a little smile on his face behind his rose-colored glasses."