Singer-songwriter and performer Nancy Ames, along with music director Danny Ward, joined forces for Nancy’s television appearances and concerts in 1973. She accepted hosting her daily eponymous show at KPRC-Ch.2, with Danny serving as its Music Director. After its run, Nancy started her architecture/design company, Estate Restorations, buying, remodeling and selling homes. Danny’s Music Directorship continued with Andy Williams, and he performed with Bernadette Peters, Shirley MacLaine and Peggy Lee.
Raised in old-guard Washington, D.C., and the Diplomatic Society, Nancy graduated from Holton-Arms School and Bennett College in New York and spent two years in Europe. Her performing career spanned Broadway, television, recording, showrooms and concerts. Her role as the signature “TW3 Girl” on NBC’s “That Was the Week That Was” led to headlining on Ed Sullivan, Hollywood Palace and The Tonight Show during the Variety Era.
After graduating from high school, musically gifted Houstonian Danny Ward attended the University of Houston and, years later, taught jazz theory there.
In 1982, Ward & Ames Special Events launched, becoming the first full-scale, turnkey source for planning, managing and producing singular events in Houston. Milestones such as Amoco’s Centennial, US Presidential events, Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Balls, PGATour Presidents Cups and World Energy Congress ceremonies, Barbara Bush’s Celebration of Reading and the Bushes’ 75th birthdays and Bush’s 80th were their creations. Nancy dubbed them Milestones & Miracles. After Hurricane Harvey, they produced “One America Appeal” for five former Presidents, amplifying the National Emmy Award recognition of their expertise.
Their philanthropy supports MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Foundations of Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Children’s, Baylor College of Medicine, Barbara Bush Literacy, United Way Greater Houston, UST, Houston Public Media, Preservation Houston, Holton-Arms School, their daughter‘s 501(c)(3) WIG OUT for cancer patients and many others.
Nancy served on multiple boards and now advises Preservation Houston and Hermann Park Conservancy. Danny’s current board membership is with Houston Public Library.
Danny enjoys organic vegetable gardening, collecting fine wine, making legendary Caesar salad and music. Nancy, a voracious researcher and crossword puzzle solver, writes songs and copy, grows Plumerias and orchids and revels in the joys of cooking!