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Ralston 'Reggae PR' Barrett is left 'surprised' after receiving news that he will be honoured with a special achievement in entertainment award at the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards in Lithonia, in Georgia on March 9.

In a recent interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, the industry player shared that this life-changing moment will 'set a part of his legacy for [his] children to see', following what he described as 33 long years of hard work in music, to prove he wasn't a failure.

"This mean to me that I'm doing something worth noting. I come from very humble beginnings where I grow up with [both grandparents], but I dropped out of high school multiple times and after a certain point in time I began to feel like a failure. So, I [decided] to do something, not just for myself but I wanted to make a name to show my family members, who thought that I was gonna become a failure, that I am not a failure. And music was my saving grace," said Barrett.

"I even went to reform school because I used to get into a lot of fights, be on the streets, but music saved me - it was my way of escaping that life. So getting this award means a lot to me. Years from now my daughters will be able to look back and seh, 'Yes, daddy did something of worth, something that stood out at work, and he was recognised for it'," he added.

The publicist, who has worked with some of Jamaica's most established musicians, said he is baffled as to why more press agents aren't highlighted in their own country. He hopes that his award will serve as an inspiration for change.

"My track record is known and it speaks for itself. I've seen many people who have done greater work than me, get overlooked in this industry. I was pleasantly surprised when I was notified by the organisers of the Caribbean Community Awards that they have chosen me to give me an award - I was very much surprised and I appreciate this. Publicist aren't really recognised in Jamaica for what they do and we do so much but receive so little acknowledgement. So I hope this will open up doors for more publicists to get awarded after this," Barrett shared.

The Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards will celebrate the accomplishments and endeavours of individuals whose efforts have made a positive impact on the lives of others.

Barrett and Garfield McCook, conceptualiser of the inaugural Jamaica International Independence Festival Song Competition, will be given the special achievement in entertainment, while football coaches Lenworth Hyde and Everton Tomlinson will be recognised for their contributions to sports.