Ward brings a unique perspective to his songwriting after having spent 40 years working in the advertising industry while continuing a lifelong passion for hockey, which resulted in his infamous nickname “PsychoWard.” His debut album, We Wonder, released in 2018, was named “Best Folk Album of 2019” by Phil Maq of 89.3-FM (WHFR).

 

In 2019, Ward immersed himself into the songwriting community in Detroit as well as Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) and several online groups. This led to an association with David Roof of Rooftop Recording as well as collaborations with some of Michigan’s finest songwriters and musicians who would contribute mightily on his future projects.

 

Ward released his second album in 2021, “The Darkness and The Light”, as a thoughtful way to highlight past struggles, including regret and loss, and champion the need for hope in a changing world. The album landed at #33 on the Folk Alliance International (FAI) folk charts in March 2021.

 

A year later, Ward dropped “Particles to Pearls”, which explores the love of family and the passage of time. In addition to multiple Detroit Music Award recognitions, he received an honorable mention in the Great River Folk Fest Songwriting Contest for the song “Letting Go.” That same year also brought Ward’s sociopolitical EP “Troubled Times” as a bold reminder to raise your voice and chase your freedom. 

 

In Spring 2023, Mike released his fourth album “Love Never Rests”, which features 11 introspective tracks that examine observations about life, love and loss along with relationships of the past, present and future. All stories are told through his emotive viewpoints of wisdom and gratitude. Recently, Mike was named a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Songwriting Contest for the song "Currency of Forgiveness" .

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August 2024 Mike has released a new six-song project titled "Still Troubled" containing two new songs and four previously released songs all dedicated to the social fabric of the country.

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TOURING

Mike performs across the state of Michigan and has been hosted at small venues and house shows from Milwaukee to Kansas City, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio and New York. Some notable venues are Wheatland Folk Festival, Blissfest, FARM Folk DJ Showcase, Forest Trail Festival, Thumbfest, HollerFest, Thunder Bay Folk Fest, Trinity House Theatre, Wiltsie's, Michigan State Fair, FolkNet and Look About Lodge (Cleveland MetroParks) Cleveland OH, On The Tracks Series-Chelsea Depot, Coffee House Milwaukee, Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn, NY, Over Yonder House Concerts, Wesley's Place, LaGrange, IL, Music at The Gazebo House Concert Series, Farmhouse Folk, PJ's Lager House, North Star Lounge, Ann Arbor, MI, The Clover Room, Kalamazoo, MI, The Starlight Room, Muskegon, MI, Fitzgerald's Side Bar, Berwyn, IL and WFMT FolkStage, Chicago, IL

 

RECOGNITIONS

Finalist 2024 Rocky Mountain Songwriting Contest 

Honorable Mention 2023 Telluride Troubadour Songwriting Competition

2023 Finalist - Detroit Music Awards Outstanding Americana Recording & Outstanding Songwriter

DJ Showcase 2022 Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) introduced by Marilyn Rae Beyer,

The Midnight Special  WFMT 98.7FM

Finalist & Honorable Mention - 2022 Great River Folk Festival Songwriting Contest 

The Darkness and The Light reached #31 on FAI Folk DJ Charts | Detroit Music Awards Finalist for Vocalist and Songwriter

"Philby Awards"by Phil Maq of WHFR 89.3FM "Particles to Pearls" Best Male Folk Album 2022,

             "Our Turn To Shine" Song of the Year 2022 and  "We Wonder" - Best Folk Album 2019

 

RADIO, STREAMING & PODCASTS

Music My Mother Would Not Like (Bruce Swan and Louise Baker), Folk Project New Jersey, Ron Olesko’s Folk Music Notebook Shelter in Place Showcase, Jon Stein’s Hootenanny Cafe Showcase, John Bommarito’s Acoustic Alternatives, Charlie’s Open Mic Acoustic Showcase with Charlie Mosbrook and The Stratton Setlist