Colin Ward has been playing the guitar since he was 11 years old when his grandfather gave him a very well-worn acoustic of uncertain origin. He started writing songs about his other passion, cruising on a sailboat, when he was recovering from a trip down the length of the Intra-Coastal Waterway. The ICW Blues was born and the rest is history.

Songwriters are advised to write about what they know and Colin knows sailing and cruising well. He and his lovely wife have lived aboard and cruised their 42 foot sailboat for 10 years. While some people write songs about cars, Colin has written a song about his two dinghies. Lots of songs have been written about dreams, but Colin’s dream was about being in the cockpit of the boat all alone. Eddie’s Edgewater is a popular watering hole in the Bahamas and is deserving of its own song.

Colin has played music along the way while cruising on the boat. The ICW Blues is always a hit among cruisers and has been featured at the George Town, Bahamas cruising regatta. Eddie’s Edgewater was played by the hastily formed band, Folks On Boats for the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival.



Goodbye Island is a protest song about an island that is being developed. Colin is protesting the loss of an anchorage adjacent to the island due to the government giving water rights to the developers.



Colin is influenced by classic rock, blues and folk music. When he writes sailing songs, he puts the music first. Although others write about sailing and cruising, Colin’s combination of lyrics and melodies are unique. Although Colin respects Jimmy Buffett's music, he does not sound like Jimmy.

Colin plays in the duo The Blue Island Beer Club (also on CD Baby) with Bruce Kula when he is home in Florida.