An Interview with Frank Watkinson, The Virtual Grandad

 

Q&A with Frank Watkinson: The Virtual Granddad of Guitar

A Conversation with Secret Guitar Club In this engaging episode of the Secret Guitar Club, host Brian sits down with Frank Watkinson, a beloved figure in the online guitar community with over a million YouTube subscribers and a massive Instagram following. Known as the "Virtual Granddad," Frank shares his journey as a self-taught guitarist, his love for acoustic music, and his rise to social media fame through heartfelt covers and original songs. 0:57 - Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, and how long have you been playing guitar? Frank reveals he’s from the UK and started playing guitar at age 15. Self-taught due to the lack of resources like YouTube in his youth, he learned from a guitarist cousin. He worked as a communications engineer, or "telephone man," handling everything from underground cables to poles, often in tough conditions. 3:03 - When did you retire from the telephone industry? Frank retired at 62, despite initially planning to retire at 60. He realized that the costs of working, like commuting, made retirement more feasible than expected, allowing him to focus on music. 4:05 - Have you played consistently since you started at 15? Frank admits to inconsistent playing, with periods where his guitar collected dust for months or even years. He’d pick it up after tough workdays to play something sad, influencing his melancholic style. 5:15 - Have you always been interested in contemporary music, and what were you listening to as a teenager? As a teenager, Frank listened to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other pop acts but gravitated toward ballads like "Wild Horses" over upbeat tracks. He preferred acoustic artists like James Taylor and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, steering away from the heavy metal popular among his peers. 7:11 - As you’ve gotten older, have you kept up with contemporary music? Frank acknowledges he’s not as knowledgeable about new music as he could be, as there’s so much out there. He finds it harder to discover new bands now compared to decades ago when radio dominated, but he still enjoys exploring music when he can. 10:59 - When did you start doing covers? Frank has always done covers, trying to play songs he hears. With the internet, he looks up chords but simplifies them to suit his style, using basic chords like G, D, A, or C, F, G, and sings in his own way, making each cover unique. 12:43 - When did you start posting on YouTube, and how did it grow? Frank started posting on YouTube after casually uploading a song one night, not expecting much. To his surprise, people began watching, leading to over a million subscribers. His cover of "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie, done in his fingerstyle, gained significant traction after a fan request. 14:33 - What has it been like having over a quarter of a million people watch your videos? Has this changed your life? Frank says it hasn’t changed him much. He remains humble, noting that he earns a small amount from YouTube but prefers anonymity in everyday life, like when walking his dog. He’s unaware of his fame unless someone recognizes his work. 16:42 - Did you ever play live, or do you still play live? Frank has never played live and doesn’t want to, citing his reliance on lyrics sheets due to memory lapses. He feels his style might become repetitive after a few songs in a live setting, preferring the comfort of playing at home. 18:36 - What kind of guitar do you play? Frank plays a secondhand Yamaha F310, a beginner’s model bought for £30 about 25 years ago. He also owns a Chinese copy of a Martin guitar, tuned down a whole step, which he uses for its mellow tone that suits his voice. 21:59 - Can you play something simple on the spot? Frank performs an original song, "People Like Me," inspired by a TV show about wealth disparity. The song reflects on the struggles of working-class people versus the ease of wealthy lives, showcasing his heartfelt, authentic style. 24:45 - When did you start writing your own songs? Frank has written songs since childhood, though he jokingly calls his early work "really bad." He continues to write, with recent songs like "People Like Me" showing his growth as a songwriter. 27:19 - Any notable achievements with your music? Frank shares that his cover of "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark" was featured in an Apple TV series, and his version of "I Can See Clearly Now" was used in a McDonald’s ad in the Netherlands. His original song "This Could Be My Last Song" also placed second in the American Songwriter Competition. Summary Frank Watkinson’s conversation with Brian on the Secret Guitar Club reveals a musician whose humility and authenticity resonate deeply with his audience. Starting as a self-taught guitarist in the UK, Frank’s journey began at 15, shaped by limited resources and a cousin’s influence. His career as a telephone engineer kept music as a side passion, with periods of inactivity until retirement at 62 allowed him to focus on it. His preference for acoustic ballads over the heavy metal of his youth reflects his introspective style, seen in his unique covers and original songs. Frank’s rise to fame, with over a million YouTube subscribers and a significant Instagram following, began unexpectedly after casual uploads. His fingerstyle covers, like "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark," and originals like "People Like Me" showcase his ability to reimagine songs with emotional depth, drawing comparisons to Johnny Cash’s transformative cover of "Hurt." Despite his success, including placements in TV shows and commercials, Frank remains grounded, valuing his privacy and the simple joy of playing his Yamaha F310 at home. His reluctance to perform live and his candid admission of relying on lyrics sheets add to his relatable charm. Frank’s story is one of perseverance and sincerity, proving that talent and authenticity can connect with millions, even from a modest setup. His music, rooted in personal experiences and a love for acoustic sounds, continues to inspire, making him a true "Virtual Granddad" to his fans.