For this holiday season, Bill Ward has made available for download one of his songs. The song he’s made available is “Light Up the Candles (Let There Be Peace Tonight)” in mp3 format. This song is from Bill’s first solo album “Ward One: Along the Way”, and was originally released back in 1990.

This is a special gift from Bill to his website visitors during this holiday season. However, this is a limited time download, come January 1, 2005 – the download will be withdrawn, so if you’re interested in it, grab it now (legally, too!) from the sounds page here on billward.com. Enjoy!

If you’d like to discuss the release of this song, you can do so here on the billward.com forums!

Last night while watching TV, I heard President Bush approving of the newest Republican ad, I guess in part, to further admonish John Kerry. I have no public opinion on either Bush’s tactics or Kerry’s tactics, however, I feel outraged that wolves were used for this ad to symbolize terrorists via/and/or to play upon man’s fear of wolves now and through the centuries.

What a cheap shot. I’m appalled by this utterly disrespectful attitude towards one of the most charismatic animals on Earth. I find this ad highly inappropriate and numbing. The wolf is part of America’s heritage and landscape, and to use this animal with apparently no conscious respect for it is degrading. I resent that the current administration would use these incredible animals in its verbal brawl with Kerry.

–Bill Ward.

I GOT PRIDE
IT’S LIKE YOU CAN TRIP ME OVER
BUT I WON’T FALL DOWN
UNTIL I’M A MILE
OUT OF YOUR SIGHT

© BILL WARD QUOTE 6/10/04

If you’re reading this, then you’ve already seen the big news – a new site design has been placed online! The last update was ages ago, back in 1999 – it was most definitely time for an overhaul. The information on the site is the same, it just is now housed in a much prettier environment. 🙂

Let us know what you think of the new site layout in this thread on Bill’s forums.

Bill released this statement today regarding Ozzfest 2004 and his participation. Here it is.

June 3, 2004

Dear Sabbath People,

My very best respect to you.

I have read the new Ozzfest statement that it’s going to be an original member line-up for Ozzfest ’04.

In the immortal words of Buddy Holly, “Well alright.”

And while maintaining some disagreement with the Ozzfest statement verbiage, all I can say is “God Bless Black Sabbath. Let’s Fxxx-in’ Rock.”

Rock & Shine,
Bill Ward

In the wee hours of the morning, I received another statement from Bill Ward regarding the Ozzfest 2004 situation. Without further ado, here it is. If there are any further developments, they will definitely be posted here.

Dear Sabbath People,

I have communicated to Sharon that I will accept the proposal of 5/11/04 regarding me playing Ozzfest, and today I received a very positive response from her. At this time, I am taking this response as a move forward. This announcement is for the benefit of all those who these past few days have been so outspoken favouring and supporting me as a member of Sabbath. I personally thank all of you. To All Sabbath People On Earth – Rock & Shine.

-Bill Ward
5/20/04

UPDATE: After having posted this statement from Bill, several sites are reporting that Bill is back in Black Sabbath for Ozzfest 2004. Please be aware that this has not happened yet. This statement just means there are discussions, and while said discussions might lead to Bill being on the Ozzfest tour, it has not happened yet. Any further developments will be covered here.

Earlier today, the news broke that Black Sabbath was to headline Ozzfest 2004, with a lineup of Ozzy Osbourne/Tony Iommi/Geezer Butler/Mike Bordin – without Bill Ward on drums. Here is a statement from Bill Ward about Ozzfest 2004.

“Dear Sabbath People,

This morning I received the very sad news that Mike Bordin is to play drums with Black Sabbath on Ozzfest ’04.

Black Sabbath is, and always will be an important priority in my life. I support Geezer’s, Tony’s and Ozzy’s decisions to move ahead into Ozzfest ’04 without me. I can appreciate they may not be overjoyed with the decision, and I’d really like to be with them. Nothing would please me more than to be a part of the show.

Last week I did receive a proposal which allowed no room for negotiation. It was a cul-de-sac proposal in my opinion, where the only answer was yes or no. I was asked to respond by Friday. May 14th. I wrote a brief letter of decline on Thursday, May 13th. I answered directly at the proposal, and left out any personal comments, other than I was sad to have to decline. What I did not put in my response was this:

I’m willing to be flexible
I’m willing to compromise
I’m willing to negotiate
I’m willing to play.

I understand and believe in a united front when it comes to Sabbath. I can appreciate the fallout from such a decision will upset some people, and I am so sorry. I’m more than willing to support Ozzfest in any way I can.

I’ve walked down this street before when Sabbath did the first reunion without me and had Mike Bordin play instead. I want you to know, I’m not being the bad guy here. I’m not trying to hold anyone to ransom. And I’m not trying to reverse my decision to decline in hope of a positive managerial response to this letter.

I’m ready, willing and able to rock. There are some details on the proposal that don’t work for me. I guess it’s a case of the importance of things on both sides and I think that’s all I can say for now.”

Bill Ward has released a song to the Internet today entitled “The Dark Half Hour”. Here’s a message from Bill about the release…

Hello everyone,

It’s been an extremely busy beginning of the New Year, and I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and rockin’ 2004. We’ve been hard at work in the studio completing mixes for “Beyond Aston,” and I wanted to share one of the new songs with you now. The song is titled “The Dark Half Hour,” and it’s about sexuality and sexual shame in part. This version is a close master mix, and therefore, will be different than the final master that will end up on the album. This version will only be available here as a free download. I hope you like the song.

I would also like to thank everyone who purchased a copy of “Straws” over the past few months to help raise money for several deserving charities. For those of you who have e-mailed to ask if you may still purchase a copy “Straws” — yes, the CDs are still available via the web site. I greatly appreciate all your generosity and your support of this project.

Hope you enjoy “The Dark Half Hour” and look for more information on “Beyond Aston.”

— Bill Ward

We know that you’ve been waiting for some information regarding the release of Bill’s third solo album entitled “Beyond Aston”. While we don’t have a release date for you for the CD at this time, we can bring you this news.

Bill Ward has decided to release a close master mix of one of the songs from the Beyond Aston album free online. The name of the song Bill will be releasing is “The Dark Half Hour”. More details as to exactly when you will be able to download this file along with further details regarding it’s release, Beyond Aston and other information will be available shortly here on this website. If you’d like to discuss this topic online, you can do so here on the Bill Ward Online forums.

In related news, the MP3 download of Straws which has been available here on billward.com will be withdrawn when The Dark Half Hour is made available, so if you still haven’t downloaded Straws, you should do so now.

Also, remember, Straws is a charity song – we urge you to make a donation to one of Bill’s charities and help out some needy folks. In exchange for your donation, Bill will send you one of his hand autographed Straws CD’s – more details on purchasing Straws is available by clicking on the cover art below.

For Immediate Release:

BILL WARD OF BLACK SABBATH TO ISSUE LIMITED EDITION “STRAWS” CD-SINGLE ON VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT WWW.BILLWARD.COM

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT CHARITY

Bill Ward, drummer and founding member of Black Sabbath, has announced that 1,000 Limited Edition CD-singles of “Straws” the song he wrote and recorded to express his concerns regarding the war with Iraq and the escalation of terrorism, will be available exclusively on his web site, www.billward.com, beginning on Veterans Day, November 11, 2003.

Each “Straws” CD-single is numbered and autographed by Ward, and all proceeds
will be donated to the charity of each purchaser’s choice from the following
five organizations: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Alice Faith Mittelman Foundation, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, the National Veterans Foundation, and the Inner City Music Program (Bands not Gangs) Los Angeles.

A total of 2,200 copies of the Limited Edition “Straws” CD-singles were produced in all, with Ward servicing 1,200 copies to governmental heads of state throughout the world, humanitarian organizations, peace support groups, media outlets and fellow musicians. Among those who have received the special package are President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and members of the United States Congress. ###