Twinkle Brothers honoured on home turf

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — There was a flood of emotions as reggae musicians Ralston and Norman Grant, of the Twinkle Brothers, Falmouth natives, were recognised for their contribution to Jamaican music at a National Heroes’ Day awards ceremony in historic Water Square in the parish.

Norman is currently on tour, but for Ralston, the occasion held special significance, as decades ago the siblings operated a record shop almost on the exact spot where the awards ceremony was held, long before their music took them to audiences around the globe. The recognition came through the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), during its 2026 National Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards Ceremony. Reflecting on the moment, Ralston said the honour was particularly meaningful because it was his first award in their native Trelawny, despite receiving international recognition for the band’s musical achievements since they started out in 1962. “It means everything, you know, because I’ve never got one from Trelawny before,” he said. The musician recalled the brothers’ early accomplishments in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition in 1970, where they placed third behind winner Hopeton Lewis and the Jamaicans. Their musical journey also includes performances before former Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell during an era when their talent was gaining recognition at home.

Ralston Grant (right), of the Twinkle Brothers, accepts an award from custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles during the Trelawny Municipal Corporation and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) 2026 National Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards Ceremony in Falmouth on Monday.

The citation accompanying the award praised Norman and Ralston for their outstanding contribution to Jamaican music, cultural heritage, and the country’s representation on the international stage. It also traced their beginnings on how they fashioned their own musical instruments, demonstrating the ingenuity and determination that would underpin their careers that have spanned more than six decades, with an extensive catalogue of albums and singles. Through their commitment to independent music production, conscious reggae and roots culture, the brothers helped preserve the tradition of live-band reggae while introducing Jamaican sounds to audiences beyond the island. Their collaboration with Polish group Trebunie-Tutki was also highlighted as an example of their ability to bridge cultural divides through music. Despite spending more than four decades living largely overseas, Ralston maintains ties to Jamaica, travelling between the island and California, with his wife Della. The Twinkle Brothers boast an extensive catalogue of songs which include

Faith Can Move Mountains, Never Get Burn, Jahoviah, Since I Threw the Comb Away, Give Rasta Praise, Rasta Pon Top, Enter Zion

, among many others.