The idea for the formation of the band was first conceived at the 1995 East Coast Blues Festival (Byron Bay NSW), after a group of local musicians (including the newly arrived Ross Ward) were called in to form the nucleus of the backing band for the Bentley/Reed Blues Review.

Ward’s Xpress released the EP/CD ‘Toe The Line’ in ’97, and picked up that year’s Dolphin award for ‘Best Blues’. In ’98, and working regularly between Brisbane and the Northern Rivers areas of NSW, the band released its first full-length album, ‘South-bound Freight’.

By 2000, the band had been appearing regularly at many of the major festivals, released yet another CD to good reviews (‘Wire-Fire’), and had started to appear more often in the Sydney/South Coast and ACT regions.

‘Wards Xpress’ has been a vehicle for Ross Ward’s tunes, but the band has also established a reputation for high-energy live shows, brought on by the high standard of musicianship from the various regular line-up of players.

The band's line-up includes the following:

• Drummer: Bruce Stephens (Jon English, Gina Jeffries)
• Bassist: Andrew Couttie (Kurtis, Lisa Hunt)
• Keys: Donny Hopkins (Rob Grosser, Big Wheel)
• Guitar& vocals: Ross Ward (Blackfeather, Phil Emmanuel Band)

The band is also augmented with the addition of Sydney's best available horn players.

The band has done the backing for short tours and/or festival spots with Lucy DeSoto, Dave Tice, Phil Emmanuel, Wiley Reed, Doc Span, ‘The Byron Blues All-Stars’, Jim Kelly, Jack Thorncraft, Dennis Wilson etc.

In 2003, the band contributed five tracks to Ross Ward’s solo CD, ‘Transit Lounge’ (Bluesoz CD of the year, 2004), as they continued to appear at various gigs & festivals around Oz, and in between Ross’ extensive solo tours.

In 2006, ‘Wards Xpress’ filmed their live show at the Broadbeach Blues Festival, and in 2007 released the DVD, ‘One Day In May’, including a doco section about the show and the expanded line-up which took place. The DVD has garnered some great media reviews, and was well-received.

2010 has seen Ross Ward relocate back to home town Sydney after 15 years in Byron Bay, instantly reuniting with the Sydney-based line-up of the band. Wards Xpress are currently recording their fouth studio album, due for release in October 2010, with a national tour and festival appearances booked for the summer of 2010-2011. Catch the Xpress when it hits your town, and enjoy the ride!!