John Ware was born on May 2, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He graduated from Pomona College with a degree in art and attended Yale Summer School of Music and Art. Ware moved back to Southern California to earn a master's degree.
While in California, Ware began his music career. As a drummer, he played for Linda Ronstadt in the Stone Poneys, for Michael Nesmith in the First National Band, and for Emmylou Harris in the Hot Band. Later in his career, he transitioned to producing music videos. His clients included Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, and Crystal Gayle. In addition to videos, he worked on the production of the Jack Crowe Show for the University of Arkansas football program.
#1: Composite image of early photo of John Ware and still frame from Pryor Center video interview
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Wedding portrait of Ethel Marie Henderson Ware, mother of John Ware, 1930
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: John McKee Ware, father of John Ware, 1946
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: John Ware with his sister, Jenny; Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1946
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: John Ware, ca. 1948
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: High school portrait of John Ware, 1962
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: John Ware, 1958
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: John Ware and his father, John McKee Ware, at a family wedding, 1967
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: John McKee Ware, father of John Ware, 1969
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: John Ware on drums with Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band, opening for Elton John at Dodger Stadium; Los Angeles, California, 1975
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Rodney Crowell, Glen D Hardin, and John Ware on stage with the Hot Band at Red Rocks Amphitheatre; Morrison, Colorado, 1976
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: John Ware (standing at left) with Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band and Albert Lee (sitting top right), 1977
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: The Hot Band: (back row) Barry Tashian, John Ware, Tony Brown, unknown, Ricky Skaggs; (front row) Frank Reckard, Emmylou Harris, road manager Phil Kaufman, 1979
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: Enactron Truck studio session with the Hot Band and engineers: (1st row) Hank DeVito; (2nd row) Emory Gordy Jr., Glen D Hardin, James Burton, Rodney Crowell, John Ware; (3rd row) Emmylou Harris; (4th row) Brian Ahern, Donovan Cowart; 1995
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: John Ware and Emmylou Harris at Eddie Tickner wake, a celebration of all things Eddie, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: The Hot Band at the 2005 ASCAP Awards: (from left) Glen D Hardin, Hank DeVito, Rodney Crowell, Emory Gordy Jr., Emmylou Harris, Jed Hilly, John Ware, James Burton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: John Ware and Levon Helm at Midnight Ramble; Woodstock, New York, 2009
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: John Ware seated at drums with gold and platinum records on the wall
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: John Ware's favorite Sam Bacco-refurbished drum set, which never leaves home
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: John Ware playing a piano-black drum set refurbished by Sam Bacco
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: Emmylou Harris, John Ware, and Rodney Crowell backstage, 2013
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: Michael Nesmith and John Ware backstage; Boulder, Colorado, 2013
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: John Ware wtih Emmylou Harris (left) and his wife, Kit (center), backstage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 2013
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: Jeff Hanna, John Ware, and Jimmie Fadden; Boulder, Colorado, 2013
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#25: Albert Lee and John Ware backstage, 2013
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#26: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with John Ware; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#27: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with John Ware; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
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© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#29: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with John Ware; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#30: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with John Ware; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
