Party Watch

Music legends turn tunes into $1.25 million raised for Texas Children’s

Let's pack 16 Grammy awards from among 47 nominations, American Idol fame, a bunch of Billboard chart-topping hits, and a touch of Broadway spirit into a big party ballroom. One could say that "An Evening With Legends" truly “had it all,” which also happens to be the title of Katharine McPhee’s 2010 single that reached No. 2 on the adult contemporary charts.

The actor and chanteuse headlined a fundraiser for Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center on Tuesday, May 7, alongside another titan of the music industry. That would be Canadian composer David Foster, who’s collaborated with Mary J. Blige, Diana Krall, Lara Fabian, and Beyoncé.

It was quite the assembly of 700 supporters who secured their seats for the event presented by Texas Children’s Hospital and Wells Fargo, much to the delight of chairs and local luminaries Sue Smith, Shelly and Brian Hendry, and Limor and Stuart Smith. The setting, the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, was outfitted by the Blooming Gallery to offer an upscale and sophisticated piano bar vibe. This ambiance allowed Texas Children’s president Debbie Sukin and Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center director Dr. Susan Blaney to deliver meaningful messages of passion and impact.

While guests were over the moon, Foster tickled the ivories to accompany aspiring Broadway star Layla Bourghesi, a current patient at the cancer center, in a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” earning a standing ovation. Filled with emotion for the cause, Foster personally contributed during the paddles-up portion of the soirée. McPhee added to the one-of-a-kind experience by singing to two tables of generous philanthropists. The evening raised $1.25 million for one of the largest pediatric cancer and hematology centers in the U.S.

Among the local notables were Glenda and Russell Gordy, Carolyn and Jake Sabat, Jan Duncan, Jenny Elkin, Cyvia Wolff, Maria and Neil Bush, Frances and Tony Buzbee, Asha and Farid Virani, Lauren and Adam Allen, Ann Ayer, Donna and Norman Lewis, Brittany Franklin, Tamara Bonar, Katie Dillon, and Julia and Mark DeWalsh.

Texas Children's Evening With Legends 2024

Photo by Jenny Antill; Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Katie Dillon, David Foster, Katherine McPhee, and Lisa McCoy.

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Public memorials and services set for 'Houston's anchorman' Dave Ward

Photo courtesy of Dave Ward

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ABC13 anchor emeritus Dave Ward died on December 13 at age 86.

Members of the public are invited to pay their respects to the longtime newsman at visitations and funeral services this week. Plans include:

Wednesday, Dec. 17: Ward will lie in repose from 11 am-6 pm at the Crimestoppers of Houston Dave Ward Building, 3001 Main St., Houston, TX 77002.
Thursday, Dec. 18: Public visitation open to all at George H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors at 1010 Bering Dr., Houston, TX 77057 from 11 am-2 pm and 4-8 pm
Friday, Dec. 19: Funeral service open to the public at 12 pm at St. Martin's Episcopal Church at 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056.

ABC13 will carry the funeral live on television and streaming platforms.

For more than 50 years, Dave was Houston's anchorman. He began each newscast with his signature line, "Good evening, friends." That's how the legendary newsman felt about the viewers who shared his love for the city he was so proud to call his home.

His name was David Henry Ward, but he was known to thousands of Eyewitness News viewers simply as "Dave." Born in Dallas in 1939, Dave grew up in Huntsville and began his radio career with KGKB Radio in Tyler while attending college. Three years later, he joined the staff of WACO Radio as a staff announcer and quickly climbed to Program Director the following year.

Dave moved to Houston in 1962, where he worked for KNUZ Radio as a News Reporter and News Director for four years. He made the move to Channel 13 in 1966 as the station's only on-the-street news reporter and photographer, coming "inside" in early 1967 to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 am. newscast.

Later that year, he became the first host of the wildly popular "Dialing for Dollars" program, which later evolved into "Good Morning Houston." Houston viewers flocked to see him and hear him, and by January 1968, Dave became the anchor of Eyewitness News at 6 and 10 pm.

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Read more about Dave Ward’s life and legacy, with video, on CultureMap's news partner, ABC13.com.

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