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'''Richard Cone Ware, Sr.,''' known as '''Ricci Ware''' (April 14, 1937 – October 21, 2016), was a [[radio]] legend for more than a half-century in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], much of his time with KTSA AM, at which he was a disk jockey and then the host of a talk show. He was known for his old-fashioned demeanor and penchant for the countryside.

'''Richard Cone Ware, Sr.,''' known as '''Ricci Ware''' (April 14, 1937 – October 21, 2016), was a [[radio]] legend for more than a half-century in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], much of his time with station KTSA AM, at which he was a disk jockey and then the host of a talk show. He was known for his old-fashioned demeanor and penchant for the countryside.

==Career==

==Career==

Ware was among the most outspoken [[conservative]]s of talk radio. He was not always accurate in his predictions, as in 1992 when he claimed that then [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], who like Gordon McLendon had lost the Senate election to Ralph Yarborough, would defeat [[Bill Clinton]] based in part on overwhelming Bush support in a KTSA opinion poll. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ware co-hosted with Jud Ashmore ''The Ricci and Jud Show,'' a rowdy morning program on the old country station KBUC. The two sometimes picketed San Antonio City Hall over controversial matters.<ref name=waredeath>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/San-Antonio-radio-legend-Ricci-Ware-dies-10060311.php|title=San Antonio radio legend Ricci Ware dies|author=Jeanne Jakle and Hector Saldana|date=October 22, 2016|publisher=''San Antonio Express-News''|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

Ware was among the most outspoken [[conservative]]s of talk radio. He was not always accurate in his predictions, as in 1992 when he claimed that then [[U.S. President]] [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], who like Gordon McLendon had lost the Senate election to Ralph Yarborough, would defeat [[Bill Clinton]] based in part on overwhelming Bush support in a KTSA opinion poll. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ware co-hosted with Jud Ashmore ''The Ricci and Jud Show,'' a rowdy morning program on the old country station KBUC. The two sometimes picketed San Antonio City Hall over controversial matters.<ref name=waredeath>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/San-Antonio-radio-legend-Ricci-Ware-dies-10060311.php|title=San Antonio radio legend Ricci Ware dies|author=Jeanne Jakle and Hector Saldana|date=October 22, 2016|publisher=''San Antonio Express-News''|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

Ware was also instrumental in motorcar racing in San Antonio. Himself a racer in his younger years, he became the owner and operator of the Pan American Speedway on the Austin Highway and then on the Toepperwein Road. Ware's track closed after the building in 1978 of the San Antonio Speedway. He encouraged stock car racing undertaken by his two sons, Richard "Ricci," Jr. (born July 13, 1960) of Culpeper, [[Virginia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/ricci-ware/150040954|title=Ricci Ware|publisher=MyLife.com|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> and Trey Allen Ware<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/> (born October 1963), another long-term KTSA radio personality who hosts the call-in program on weekday mornings. In 1989, Frank Howell, the former owner of the San Antonio Speedway, hired Ricci Ware to manage and run the half-mile speedway. During this time he booked the popular Texas Super Sprinters Association, a winged sprint car series that raced on dirt tracks across Central and South Texas.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/>

Ware was also instrumental in motorcar racing in San Antonio. Himself a racer in his younger years, he became the owner and operator of the Pan American Speedway on the Austin Highway and then on the Toepperwein Road. Ware's track closed after the building in 1978 of the San Antonio Speedway. He encouraged stock car racing undertaken by his two sons, Richard "Ricci," Jr. (born July 13, 1960) of Culpeper, [[Virginia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/ricci-ware/150040954|title=Ricci Ware|publisher=MyLife.com|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> and Trey Allen Ware<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/> (born October 1963), another long-term KTSA radio personality who hosts the call-in program on weekday mornings. In 1989, Frank Howell, the former owner of the San Antonio Speedway, hired Ricci Ware to manage and run the half-mile speedway. During this time he booked the popular Texas Super Sprinters Association, a winged sprint car series that raced on dirt tracks across Central and South Texas.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary/>

On September 1, 2007, Ware was honored at an old-fashioned sock hop at John T. Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of being on the airwaves in San Antonio though his career actually started in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. Two former mayors attended; performers included the legendary musicians, Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke and Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados, along with the Oh So Good Band. The event was sponsored by San Antonio industrialist Red McCombs and emceeded by Ware's long-time friend, Bruce Hathaway (1938-2017), another KTSA veteran.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/motorsports/2007/09/ricci-ware-san-antonio-radio-legend-and-motorsports-icon/|title=Ricci Ware, San Antonio radio legend and motorsports icon|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Less than a year after the fiftieth anniversary celebration, KTSA cancelled Ware's talk show, which was then airing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. The premise for his removal was the establishment of an hour-long mid-day news program. Ware was allowed to announce his exit on the air and was given a Sunday program from 5 to 7 p.m. instead; "they tossed me a bone," Ware quipped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jakle06/2008/04/ricci-wares-radio-show-axed/|title=Ricci Ware's radio show axed|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=April 25, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

On September 1, 2007, Ware was honored at an old-fashioned sock hop at John T. Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of being on the airwaves in San Antonio though his career actually started in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. Two former mayors attended; performers included the legendary musicians, Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke and Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados, along with the Oh So Good Band. The event was sponsored by San Antonio industrialist Red McCombs and emceeded by Ware's long-time friend, Bruce Hathaway (1938-2017), another KTSA veteran.<ref name=fiftiethanniversary>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/motorsports/2007/09/ricci-ware-san-antonio-radio-legend-and-motorsports-icon/|title=Ricci Ware, San Antonio radio legend and motorsports icon|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Less than a year after the fiftieth anniversary celebration, KTSA cancelled Ware's talk show, which was then airing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. The premise for his removal was the establishment of an hour-long mid-day news program. Ware was allowed to announce his exit on the air and was given a Sunday program from 5 to 7 p.m. instead; "they tossed me a bone," Ware quipped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jakle06/2008/04/ricci-wares-radio-show-axed/|title=Ricci Ware's radio show axed|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=April 25, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

Jud Ashmore, later a [[television]] weather broadcaster, called Ware "a rock star. He was totally unpredictable, very honest. He called it like he saw it."<ref name=waredeath/> Trey Ware, who co-hosted with his father for many years, posted a farewell on [[Facebook]]: “My hero returned home to his Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ]] this morning. My dad, Ricci Ware, was my hero in every sense of the word. He was a one-of-a-kind talent who had the natural ability to make you laugh and feel better about life in all circumstances. He could also cause you to think — deeply"<ref name=waredeath/>

Jud Ashmore, later a [[television]] weather broadcaster, called Ware "a rock star. He was totally unpredictable, very honest. He called it like he saw it."<ref name=waredeath/> Trey Ware, who co-hosted with his father for many years, posted a farewell on [[Facebook]]: “My hero returned home to his Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ]] this morning. My dad, Ricci Ware, was my hero in every sense of the word. He was a one-of-a-kind talent who had the natural ability to make you laugh and feel better about life in all circumstances. He could also cause you to think — deeply"<ref name=waredeath/>