Host

His radio broadcast is designed to provide encouragement, as well as inspirational music in the Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding areas with the latest in traditional, contemporary and urban gospel music.

As a young child growing up in Chicago, Frank grew up with five sisters and two brothers that were in the household of parents Robert and Joetta Walton. Frank would rise early on Sunday mornings to accompany his dad, the late Robert E. Walton to the radio station where the Walton Brothers would sing live over radio station WHFC currently known as WVON. His job was to answer the telephone, and take prayer requests for the radio host, renowned late Isabel Joseph Johnson. Eventually, due to the popularity and growth, the program was moved to a car dealership and subsequently to a funeral home to accommodate the “LIVE” audience. The owners of car dealership and the funeral home were supporters of gospel and provided their facilities to accommodate the early Sunday morning gospel music lovers. This had an influential impact on Frank that was actually realized later as he became an adult.

Later, after returning from college in Nebraska, Frank connected with the Christ Tabernacle Church in Chicago, Pastor Milton Brunson of the famed Thompson Community Singers. Rev. Brunson’s all day Saturday broadcast prepared you for Sunday church worship in which Pastor Brunson hosted a distinctive format. The format uniqueness was something that he shared with Frank and his encouragement was proven to be effective over the years.

As a result of working in corporate America, Frank was afforded opportunities to travel and ultimately relocated to Minneapolis. This is where a visually impaired Joe Sorenson officially acquainted Frank with the board at KMOJ radio. While watching Joe, doing this without physically seeing the board, Frank could only think being able to see, he should be able to master the process. This meant no dead air and running a tight board. The Sunday and Saturday morning program was called “Spirited Sunrise” signifying, the beginning of the new day with the Holy Spirit.

Frank’s professional career landed him in Seattle / Tacoma, Washington. His radio debut for Seattle included coverage for anoouncers on vacation during the summer of 1993 at KRIZ/KZIZ radio. Thanks to the late Bonnie Dee recommendation he was offered the Sunday afternoon slot where he served for nearly 20 years.

The opportunity to reach people in times of sadness and gladness; joy and sorrow; sickness and health; or whatever their circumstances with inspirational music became Frank’s mission. It is Frank’s desire to encourage and inspire people with a positive message of hope and the joy of Jesus. Producing a quality program that reaches the entire family with an inspirational message is his weekly goal.

Frank is the founding president of the Seattle Area Gospel Announcers Guild including membership categories for radio announcers, retailers and record labels covering British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

After relocating to the “North-northwest”, Frank was interviewed by the Seattle Weekly newspaper and was asked to describe Gospel Music. During this interview, he looked around at all the rain and stated “Gospel Music is much like holding an umbrella as the rain drops from Heaven. There are multiple rungs with additional branches, each coming back to the main point, the “Good News.” The description of the music is a covering for all who will center their lyrics on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no better music than the good news of the gospel message that provides so much hope, inspiration, encouragement, comfort and joy.

Frank provided support to the Pierce County area through The Salvation Army in Tacoma / Pierce County as he served in the position of Director, Business Operations. All of his professional activities are centered on ministry with the role as National Director of Field Sales after providing many years of regional support for Urban Ministries, Inc. the African American Christian Publishing and Communications Company. Frank currently serves as Director of Digital Sales for Urban Ministries, Inc. He was an active Rotarian member with the Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club and Tacoma / Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

His previous employment includes positions in finance, sales, manufacturing, distribution and customer services with Xerox Corporation for over 25 years. Prior to Xerox, he was active in the Chicago area as a District Executive, Boy Scouts of America.

In addition to his professional involvement, Walton married his high school sweetheart, the late Sylvia (Nicks) and resided in the SeaTac area with their two children Frank II and Lakeisha.

He is active in church, professional associations and community affairs. As a member of the Martin Luther King Memorial Baptist Church in Renton, he serves in several capacities. He is a licensed minister with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Faith Theological Seminary. Frank is also a musician, and has previously served as Diaconate Chairperson during pastoral transition, Sunday School Superintendent, Budget Committee member and Men’s Fellowship Group. He has also been engaged in prison outreach ministry and youth programs.

He also owns and operates several businesses, and an Authorized Reseller, Consultant and Trainer for PowerChurch Software providing church financial and administrative services through Financial Christian Services. Frank’s previous involvement includes the Gospel Music Channel and a member of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards Academy and currently hosts a Saturday afternoon program in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to moving to the Northwest, Frank was active in the Chicago land area with similar activities. His participation with the religious community and church are consistent with his activities in the Northwest. He served on the Probation Challenge-Board of Directors (a program designed to help first time offenders and by providing education versus incarceration), Chairman of the Xerox Concerned Black Employees (caucus group providing support and training to members in sales, career development and personal growth, as well as community programs like Probation Challenge.)

During June 2003, he received the National Jitsuo Morikawa Evangelism Award in Richmond, Virginia from the American Baptist Churches of America for leadership by a layperson in holistic evangelism, which includes a gospel radio ministry. Frank was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio on November 2007. Other awards include the GMWA/GAG Gospel Announcer of the Year, 2006 Aunt Pauline Wells Award and 2005 Deacon Willie McKinstry Award (both in honor of renowned broadcasters who exemplied commitment to community and infectious spirit of sharing the good news through the media of Gospel Music) from the Gospel Music Workshop of America – National Gospel Announcers; 2005 People’s Gathering Media Award; Apostolic Clergy Advisory Council 2004 Good Shepherd Award; MLK Church Man of the Century Award and other acknowledgements for his effective leadership in the community.

Well respected for his integrity and unique leadership style that challenges others to reach their greater potential. It is his desire to leave this world a better place and to make positive contributions via the church community. Reaching, Teaching, Winning and Maturing others in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Frank’s key phrase is “I was downsized to be right sized by God and enjoying this season with focus on ministries.”