The music of Zak Ward has reached new heights in the past year, even gaining international interest.
“We put out a CD in late March called ‘This Wonderful Playground’ and we’ve also had two music videos, one of which was produced in England,” Ward said. “It’s been a crazy, crazy surreal experience and an honor. That type of thing didn’t happen 10-15 years ago. It’s all because of social media and developing relationships online.”
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Ward is a major proponent of altruism and, to show his charitable nature, he contributed his song “Beautiful” to this year’s “Red, White & You, Too!” benefit CD.
“I’m really appreciative of Toledo Free Press and the Red Cross for accepting this donation of music from all of us musicians and allowing local artists to be featured,” Ward said. “It’s an honor to be a part of it for that specific reason. It’s also awareness of what kind of art is happening in the Toledo, Northwest Ohio area.”
Ward’s lyrics are drawn from a combination of sources.
“Inspiration comes from just being a fan of music and life in general,” he said.
“Beautiful” is a song that Ward hopes is open to interpretation but the overall message is one familiar to listeners.
“Generally speaking, it’s kind of like a love song as it relates to appreciating beauty,” he said.
For this song, Ward collaborated with fellow musician Bob Stevens, who also has a track on the CD. Ward said he thinks musicians should always give back to their communities.
“Musicians are in a very lucky position as it relates to helping with charities because it’s really effortless for us to donate art for someone to raise money for a cause.
“Anytime that I have an opportunity to help raise funds for our society, our city, certainly I’m compelled to do so,” Ward said. “Raising money for any type of charity organization [offers] huge fulfillment because I have something I can actually contribute.”
In the upcoming year, Ward said he and the group plan to assemble a visual concert series, as well as complete another album and music video.
