Dave Ward to release ‘Good Evening, Friends’ memoir
Longest running local TV news anchor to release historic memoir
Houston, TX – Bright Sky Publishing is delighted to announce the April 2019 publication of Good Evening, Friends, a memoir of Houston’s iconic and beloved Eyewitness news anchor Dave Ward.
Mr. Ward, who first joined ABC’s KTRK-Channel 13 in 1966, today hosts “Dave Ward’s Houston,” a series on ABC13 that explores the people, places and events that make this city so special. Ward, known for being “the most trusted voice in Houston,” held the Guinness World Records title as the longest running local TV-news anchor at the same TV station in a major market.
Working with Jim McGrath, co-author of numerous high-profile memoirs, Ward shares the full depth of his notable experience. In fascinating detail, he:
- Covers his legendary 60-year career as radio and TV newsman in Houston – dating back to before the JFK assassination
- Takes readers on the news set and behind the scenes of America’s most successful local news team, including his personal history with Marvin Zindler
- Chronicles the growth and development of the U.S. space program
- Invites readers to experience life on the road with Houston Oilers during the “Luv Ya Blue” era
- Provides candid revelations of his personal struggles
- Shares his escapes from death, including 1974 motorcycle crash, 2003 car crash and 2016 heart attack
In addition to his experience covering wars in Vietnam and the Middle East, presidential elections and historic natural disasters, Ward provides Houstonians with an understanding of the booms and busts on the way to becoming America’s fourth largest and most diverse city.
In addition to his news career, Ward played an instrumental role in establishing Houston Crime Stoppers, the city’s top non-profit dedicated to public safety. In 2017 the organization opened a three-story 28,000 square foot building named after the former ABC13 anchor. The facility, titled “Dave Ward Building, Crime Stoppers of Houston,” serves as a central hub for Crime Stoppers operations, volunteers, staff, victims, law enforcement, media and community programming.
This long-awaited book, with a foreword by former President George H.W. Bush, captures the heart of Houston and the man who has told its stories, investigated its problems and presented news in a clear and unbiased way over 70 years of constant change.
Good Evening, Friends Bright Sky Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-942945-76-5 Available April 2019
6” x 9”, b/w, 400 pp, $29.95
“Dave Ward, as long as I can recall, has been one of the most trusted figures I have ever seen on television. You couldn’t find anyone who exuded more integrity and goodwill on a community than Dave has done for all those years in Houston. He really has been that trusted face and voice in that great city for so long — longer than anyone who has been behind an anchor desk. Good Evening, Friends helps you understand how and why.” ~CBS Sports Anchor Jim Nantz
“What Dave Ward did was more than read news. He became like your next-door neighbor in your home. Every night, at 6 and 10, he was literally in your living room — there for everyone. With his ‘Good evening, friends,’ he was the person you simply came to trust. So when it came to what was happening in the city of Houston that was newsworthy, Dave Ward was there to tell you. Anyone can talk into a microphone, but few can do it in a way that makes you trust them. Dave had that gift, and he still does.”
~Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
“At a time when so many journalists are being denounced as ‘enemies of the people,’ I imagine that the entire population of Houston will testify that Dave Ward is a friend of theirs — as he is of mine.”
~Ted Koppel
About Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath started his writing career at The White House, working as a staff writer and editor in the Executive Office of the President from 1991 to 1993, and served as President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush’s post-White House spokesman. Today, he serves as vice president of The George and Barbara Bush Foundation.
Simon & Schuster published Jim’s first book, Heartbeat: George Bush in His Own Words in 2001. Most recently, McGrath co-wrote former Commerce Secretary Robert A. Mosbacher, Sr.’s family memoirs Going to Windward, which Texas A&M University Press published in 2010.
Houston Non-Profit Publishing, dba Bright Sky Publishing, is a non-profit organization founded in 2017 to continue the legacy of Bright Sky Press, a pioneer in quality Texas trade publishing. The Bright Sky mission is to document the richness of our region by publishing books of the highest quality. We collaborate with our authors and illustrators to preserve our history, celebrate our unique culture and articulate our collective concerns. We wish to use our talents to serve our community, so many of our books raise funds and awareness for specific causes. Above all, we seek to share what we love most about the diverse, positive and creative place we call home.
