“Heaven and Hell,” “The Last in Line,” Stargazer.” Ronnie, your sound and musical creations will live forever. Peace now and forevermore.

–Bill Ward

H! Everyone.

I have been trying to come to terms with putting my thoughts and experiences of 2010 onto paper, and sadly, on the Eve of Christmas, I find myself exhausted from the sheer weight of life on life’s terms. To recall anything positive is arduous without bumping into the loss and lingering sadness I’ve felt over those who have died this year, and of most recently, my wife’s father, Richard. It’s difficult to smile when you’re not smiling inside.

However, melancholy aside, I have much to be grateful for. I’m alive, sober, and surrounded by loving people, children, animals and the critters that live outside the house. I feel blessed to still have a roof over my head and a fire in the hearth. I think a lot of you know already that for a while in 1983, I lost and ran away from most of which I just spoke of, asking for spare change to buy a drink and walking aimlessly through dismal streets. The pickings of my days were most ungratifying.

In 2010, I’ve tried to be very patient with my ongoing projects, which at times seem trapped by circumstances beyond human control. Frustrations erupt as we move slowly towards finishing points, only to be stopped again by another unforeseen event. I, along with my colleagues, have been painstaking in the workplace. We have actually accomplished much in PR, documentaries, book interviews and multimedia opportunities, etc., etc. Some of the biggest projects are still slightly out of reach. I’m OK knowing we came as far as we could before Christmas loomed and demanded attention.

This year, I’ve tried to do the “right thing,” and I hope I haven’t stood in the path of someone else’s life flow. I have continuously lowered my expectations of what I think I deserve or what I want. I’ve especially focused on what I think America, my wife, my friends, my kids or God ought to do for me. I’ve pretty much had to surrender each day to “reality,” whether I like it or not, and again, I keep the expectations surrendered. It’s hard work, especially when there are a lot of challenges heading straight for me. It works out eventually – it all works out.

Watching America, Britain, and many other countries get their ass kicked even more this year has been a heartbreak. So many are hurting – beautiful people – it’s all very sad. If “now” is a modern saviour, then I hope it’ll save the countless who are living up the road and round the corner ten years from now in order to maintain their “security.” It’s a tough lesson – “financial security” will let us down every time; from time to time, it’ll let us down, and if you’re in the memories of the good old days or when life was much better, then make an attempt to find “now” because surely you will perish in “yesterday.”

I have to remember to kiss someone who needs kissing today, hold someone who needs holding today, and if I eat, I’ll remember to say thank you and be grateful. I think compassion, hope today, surrender and forgiveness are a part of love, and love is a true, positive energy source, even for the most fragile amongst us. Love is a survivor; love pulls us through. We all have the components that create love; some like me have to dig a little deeper to allow love to flourish. I hope you will find love, and I hope it will serve you well and bring laughter and joy back to you. Hold love close to your heart because surely we will continue to face another reality-biting new year.

As always, I raise my glass of water, and I wish you all happiness and health and love in 2011.

Stay safe. Stay Strong.

–Bill Ward

Last month Bill made an appearance on the Classic Rock & Metal Podcast, talking about his 40 years since Paranoid‘s release, how he views life after his drink and drug problems, plus his solo projects and the possibility of a Sabbath reunion.

Head over to the CRMP website to listen to the show online.

A couple of weeks ago, Bill Ward’s episode of “That Metal Show” aired on VH1 Classic. If you missed it, you can view the entire episode online. We have a streaming version of the episode available for you to play right here:

Additionally, this Saturday night the 11th is the season finale of “That Metal Show”. The final episode of each series is called “Scrap Metal”. This is where they take clips and bits from the episodes that made up the most recent series that didn’t quite make the cut, and use them there. While we do not know precisely what content will be in “Scrap Metal”, it’s worth tuning in, as some unaired Bill Ward footage is likely to be shown. The initial showing is 11PM Eastern Time, and there are several re-runs over the next few days, so if you miss the first one, you can re-catch it.

As we’ve been telling you, Bill’s appearance on That Metal Show is on Saturday night at 11PM Eastern Time the 20th. The folks from VH1 Classic were kind enough to send over this video clip of Bill from the show. Check it out:

Bill has recently completed filming his appearance on the VH1 Classic show, “That Metal Show”, hosted by Eddie Trunk.

Bill’s episode will air on November 20th, 2010 at 11PM Eastern Time here in the US.

Also appearing on that episode will be Danzig, as well as Richie Kotzen. Bill will have a lot to say, and when we have a more specific content preview, we’ll bring it to you. But we wanted to alert you to the airdate of Bill’s episode as soon as we knew it!

Shockwaves Skull Sessions Episode #42:

On this episode Skullsessions returning guests Monte Conner (VP of A&R for Roadrunner Records) and legendary Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, along with newcomer to the Skullsessions and thrash-metal drummer extraordinaire Gene Hoglan (Fear Factory/ Deathclock), join Skullsessions host Bob Nalbandian on this astounding and diverse conversation about modern-metal bands, the art of drumming and the use of dynamics, the metal music business of today, modern recording techniques vs. analog, the great John Bonham and much, much more!

Check out the podcast and listen to Bill at this link!

To celebrate the launch of Bill’s new Twitter feed and his new Facebook fan page, we’ve decided to give away some autographed copies of Bill’s 1997 album, “When the Bough Breaks”.  This is a pretty simple contest, all you have to do is either be following Bill on Twitter, or have “liked” his Facebook page.

We will pick five random folks from each service, and they will win the autographed CD.   We will contact you on those services for details afterwards.   Additionally, Bill will personalize the autographs to you, so it won’t be just him signing his name.

To make sure you’re eligible, sign up for these services and like/follow Bill.   If you want to double your chances, hook up with both of them!  Please note you can’t win on both services, so if for some reason you’d get randomly picked on both, you’d only win one.  🙂   The contest will run for one week, and will close next week June 18th.

Here are the details in case you need them:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/billwarddrums
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Ward/109213359124333

Thanks for checking out Bill’s site, and good luck to all!

There’s two things you as a fan of this website should know. First are some new photos of Bill in the studio over the last couple of years. Some are from behind a kit, and some are behind a board.   Here’s a few samples..

These two photos (and all of them in the newly released gallery) were taken by Christopher Wagner.    You can see all of them over at our new Facebook page.   That’s right, Bill is now on Facebook.   If you are too, and want to check out the photo gallery, or “like” Bill, the Facebook link is this:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Ward/109213359124333

Likewise, Bill is also on Twitter.  You can reach Bill there at this URL:

http://www.twitter.com/billwarddrums

My wife and I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Paul Gray’s family and friends. Our condolences also extend to each member of Slipknot. We wish everyone who knew Paul love, tolerance and eventual peace of mind.

Paul played in an incredible band. He was an incredible bass player. His death is another big loss for metal music, but his spirit and his love will forever ascend and teach.

Thanks for the music, Paul.

Bill & Bird Ward