How a 72-Year-Old Telephone Man Became the Internet’s Most Beloved Acoustic Storyteller
Introduction
On October 4, 2025, ABC News (Good Morning America) aired a heartfelt segment that introduced millions of viewers to Frank Watkinson—a 72-year-old Englishman who has quietly become one of the most beloved voices on the internet. With nothing more than his guitar, a camera, and the unhurried sincerity of someone with a lifetime of stories, Frank has turned YouTube into his global stage. For many, he isn’t just a musician—he’s their virtual grandpa.
What began as a hobby has grown into an international phenomenon. ABC News explored how a retired “telephone man” with no formal musical background earned millions of followers and touched hearts across generations.
A Soulful Sound the Internet Didn’t Know It Needed
The segment opens with journalist Daniel noting Frank’s unexpected celebrity: a gentle-voiced Englishman serenading millions with covers and originals spanning decades of music. From The Cranberries to Willie Nelson to Slipknot, Frank slows everything down, focusing on emotion rather than flash.
“I just slow everything down and put as much feeling into that as I can,” Frank says.
His approach is simple but powerful: honest vocals, intimate guitar playing, and a refusal to rush any note.
From Telephone Man to YouTube Star
One night about a decade ago, Frank posted a cover of Willie Nelson’s Always on My Mind—not to gather listeners, but, as he says:
“I did it for something to do. Then I started getting requests.”
Requests poured in. His subscriber count grew. And then—everything went mad.
Frank embraced every style thrown his way: folk, classic rock, modern indie, and, most unexpectedly, heavy metal.
The Slipknot Cover That Changed Everything
ABC News highlighted Frank’s most-watched video: his acoustic cover of Slipknot’s Snuff. The gentle, trembling delivery of a song known for its raw darkness stunned the internet.
Millions discovered Frank through that single performance.
“Bury all your secrets in my skin…”
The contrast between Frank’s soft voice and Slipknot’s intensity created something haunting and unforgettable.
A Childhood Marked by Loss
In a rare moment of vulnerability during the interview, Frank shared how emotional depth entered his music. Growing up in the 1960s, he lost both parents by age 11.
When asked whether that early pain shaped his music, Frank paused:
“It could be.”
His originals—quiet, emotional ballads—often feel like letters to the past, stitched with grief, resilience, and decades of healing.
Original Songs That Carry a Lifetime of Emotion
ABC News showcased This Could Be My Last Song, one of Frank’s most popular originals—an intimate, reflective piece about mortality.
Fans around the world have responded not with sadness, but with gratitude. Many lovingly call him their virtual grandpa, offering a global family he never could have expected.
“It makes me feel quite proud, really.”
A Sleeping Star Named Marshall
A beloved part of every video is the presence of Marshall, Frank’s Shih Tzu, who appears in the background, almost always asleep.
“I think he must be the most relaxed dog on the planet,” Frank jokes.
Marshall has become iconic—fans often comment as much about him as the music.
FRANK WATKINSON BIO
Born: June 26, 1953, Peterborough, England
Early Life: Lost both parents by age 11; separated from siblings; grew up in various homes.
First Guitar: Age 16.
Education: Disliked school; briefly attended electrical trade school before leaving.
Career: Worked as an apprentice electrician, retail worker, grill chef, factory employee, and ultimately spent 36 years with a telephone company.
Family: Married Frances in 1973; two daughters; five grandchildren.
Pets: One dog (Marshall) and two cats.
Health: Lifelong smoker; diabetic for 35+ years; lives in damp Fenland climate.
Music Career Timeline
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2015: Launched YouTube channel
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2017–2024: Released numerous originals including Time, Miss You, Ghosts, Just My Way of Saying Goodbye, and the viral This Could Be My Last Song
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2020: Slipknot’s Snuff cover goes viral (5.8M+ views)
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2021: Cover featured on Apple TV’s Home Before Dark
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2022: Receives YouTube Silver Creator Award
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2024: Achieves 1 million subscribers; receives YouTube Gold Creator Award
Frank continues posting weekly videos, each one a small, heartfelt gift to the world.
In-Depth Article Summary
The October 4, 2025 ABC News feature frames Frank Watkinson as the internet’s most unlikely star: a 72-year-old retired telephone worker who transforms songs into intimate emotional journeys. The segment traces his rise from casual hobbyist to global folk icon, propelled by heartfelt performances and a viral Slipknot cover. It highlights his painful childhood, the profound emotional well he draws from, and the sincere originality of his music.
The story also captures the warmth of his online presence—his softness, his humility, and even his famously relaxed dog, Marshall. Frank’s music resonates because it feels honest: a lifetime of love, grief, endurance, and gentle wisdom distilled into song.
In the end, the ABC News report reveals the truth fans already know: Frank Watkinson doesn’t just sing songs—he comforts the world.
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