IF YOU GREW up in the ’60s in Houston, Dave Ward was the newsman of the hour every night at almost every dinner table. He was a trusted voice who felt like part of the family. He gave up his anchor desk in 2016.

The legendary TV personality reclaimed the airwaves last week, with the second season of his podcast and web series, Dave Ward & Friends. The upbeat show is a series of casual conversations with friends Ward made over his record-breaking 60-year broadcast career.

“Everyone in the Greater Houston area is a friend of mine, and I’m excited to share with them the second season of my podcast,” said Ward. “I still have many stories to share with the community, and by partnering with Sonic Automotive and Texas Mattress Makers, listeners can hear legendary behind-the-scenes accounts from those who made Houston what it is today.”

Season 2 highlights memorable eras in Houston’s history with guests including country music star Mickey Gilley of Urban Cowboy fame and NASA hero Gene Kranz who was forever immortalized in the Oscar-winning film Apollo 13. Bringing back beloved times from ABC13, Ward will share airtime again with Shara Fryer, Dave’s longtime co-anchor and former Good Morning Houston host, and Don Nelson, former morning traffic reporter and ABC13 funny man. Ward also chats with NFL coach Wade Phillips, whose father Bum Phillips was a good friend of Dave’s during the “Luv Ya Blue” Houston Oilers days. And in a delightfully surprising episode, Ward interviews Charles Earl Spencer, British nobility and brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Dave Ward

Ward's former co-anchor, Shara Fryer, makes an appearance on the new season of 'Dave Ward & Friends'.

Music legend Mickey Gilley is among Dave Ward's guests on his podcast this spring.

In 2019, Ward released his memoir, Good Evening, Friends: A Broadcaster Shares His Life, which outlines his journey to becoming one of Houston’s most iconic television personalities. He hopes the second season of the podcast will continue to bring words from the pages of his biography to the ears of his friends throughout Houston. Ward, who grew up in Dallas, started a radio broadcast career right after college at KGKB in Waco, before moving to Houston and segueing to television news.

“Mr. Ward’s family have been customers of our Houston Sonic Automotive dealerships for many years,” said Jeff Dyke, president of Sonic Automotive. “We are excited to support his podcast and promote the launch of our new River Oaks Porsche dealership.”

“Dave and I share a passion for Houston, a city that provided me so much opportunity after moving here from Israel at age 21,” says Youval Meicler, founder of Texas Mattress Makers. “Dave Ward is a legend, and these conversations are part of the fabric of the city we both love. Texas Mattress Makers is proud to support this podcast and bring these historic tales to all Houstonians.”

You can watch Dave Ward & Friends on Facebook, YouTube, or listen on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify — or visit DaveWardTV.com.