Dale Ward (August 18, 1938 - January 21, 2013) was a 1960s American pop singer and songwriter with expressive vocals. He is best known for the lovelorn ballad, "Letter From Sherry" (1963).
Howard Dale Ward was born in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. His parents were Evelyn and Howard Ward. He
graduated from Sallisaw in 1956, worked for the Oklahoma Highway Department, in
retail grocery business and as a motel owner and manager. Ward was also in the
Army Reserve. He was best known as a gifted singer and songwriter and recorded
his first record in 1962.
Early records were rock and roll style but became
mostly country music by the late 60's. He recorded over 30 songs with several companies,
Capitol, Dot and Monument. "Letter from Sherry" was perhaps Ward's
biggest hit for Dot records, making it to #25 in late 1963.
His deep voice suits the song, as does the rather plodding
arrangement. The female recitation on the track is by Robin Ward (no relation)
of “Wonderful Summer " fame. The flip side, "One Last Kiss,
Cherie", charted locally in Kentucky. This was Dale Ward's sole Hot 100 entry,
and his subsequent attempts to establish himself as a country singer were
unsuccessful.
Throughout the 1960s, Ward lived in Nashville, Hollywood and
Las Vegas. Ward returned to his hometown of Sallisaw, his family and friends in
1967. His latter years were ridden with health problems and brushes with the
law, primarily drug related.
In 2009 Ward was arrested twice on drug charges in
Sallisaw, Oklahoma. "Sunrise over Charlotte" and "Sweet, Sweet
Jesus" were among the last recordings Ward made. He died in Tulsa,
Oklahoma 21 Jan 2013 age 74.
(Edited from snippets of information gathered from various
sources)
