Rev. Walter Shaw,[1] who goes by the on-air nickname Walt "Baby" Love, is a radio host in the United States. Having been in the business for over 35 years, Walt ‘Baby’ Love hosts three syndicated radio programs, Gospel Traxx, The Countdown and The Urban AC Countdown. All three feature, at Love's insistence, "clean" versions of popular songs.[1] The Countdown is the longest running R&B syndicated radio show in history. The Countdown is a six-time winner of Billboard Magazine's award for best R&B syndicated radio show.
He was ordained in the ministry at the First House of Prayer, located in Chicago, in June 1997. He was later ordained as a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) denomination at FAME, First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles. In 2003, Walt earned the designation of local elder in the AME Church and today, he is an associate minister at FAME. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary located in Pasadena, California.[2]
Through his career Walt has been honored with awards including nominations for the Radio Hall of Fame, Gospel Heritage Foundation’s Celebrated Leader in Gospel Music, 2002 Black Broadcaster Alliance’s Radio personality of the Year, and 2001 Stellar award’s Best Gospel Radio Personality of the Year.
He and his wife, Sonya founded the Walt and Sonya Love Lupus and Cancer Research Foundation.[2]
The Countdown, The Urban AC Countdown, and Gospel Traxx are all syndicated within the United States by Dial Global, whose parent company Triton Media Group also oversees MJI Interactive.[3] International syndication is handled by Radio Express.[4]