"Two years ago, he came to me and returned them - it was fantastic."
That sparked the idea to set up in business and share the passion.
Mr Ward started out at the Otane Sunday Market, then moved to Penny Lane in Waipawa, but moving onto the main street has amped up the trade, he said.
"The business is going really well - locals, visitors to town and passers-through who stop for coffee or petrol are discovering this great little shop."
One impressed customer was New Zealand music legend Dave Dobbyn, who called in with his wife when he performed at the CHB Municipal Theatre recently.
During that visit Mr Ward scored the new album Harmony House signed by the man himself, who also penned his moniker on some of his other albums in stock from previous bands Th' Dudes and DD Smash.
As well as a small selection of New Zealand music, Mr Ward has a wide range of artists represented - from Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep and Deep Purple to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Glen Miller to name just some.
"With the revival of vinyl, people are re-discovering the pleasure of analogue listening - it is how our hearing works best," Mr Ward said.
And for those who love the warm tones of vinyl records but have nothing to play them on, Mr Ward is also doing a brisk trade in turntables and other related equipment.
He sells second-hand units, ranging in price depending on the technology, as well as new turntables, amps and speakers.
For people who already have one, he also offers a repair service for the likes of a broken stylus, cartridge or needle.
- Passionate About Vinyl is open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
