Raised in Lewiston, Maine, Peter Ward in 1965 saw Muhammed Ali (then called Cassius Clay) the day before a famous heavyweight bout against Sonny Liston. A few years later, another boxing champ, Emile Griffith, playfully punched Peter on the shoulder at an exhibition in the Catskills. (What is it with boxers and Peter?) Peter played blues in bands with his brothers Mudcat and Jeff in Maine, then moved to Boston. In 1978 he commuted each week to Rochester, NY to perform three nights with Joe Beard and the Blues Union. Joe, a former neighbor of blues l;eghend Son House, is a nice man who plays a mean brand of blues guitar. In the 1980s Peter toured and recorded with the Legendary Blues Band which then comprised members of Muddy Waters' great band — pianist Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie Smith, bassist Calvin Fuzz Jones and Jerry Portnoy on harp. Together they recorded Red Hot and Blues on Rounder Records. Ronnie Earl, a former roommate, described Peter one of the best young blues guitarists. Peter was married for 20 years to WGBH blues host Mai Cramer. She died in 2002 of breast cancer. Each year Peter and friends organize a fast-moving musical tribute tribute to Mai that raises money for charity and helps keep traditional blues alive.

In 2010 Peter produced and played on a western swing CD, "Goodbye Liza Jane: Hello Western Swing" (Gandy Dancer Records) featuring steel guitarist Herb Remington, an original member of Bob Wills' and his Texas Playboys.

He launched his own band (Peter Hi-Fi & Electric Blues) several years ago, a band that's been delighting audiences and dancers wherever they perform.