Josh David Barrett, Former Lead Singer of The Wailers to Headline the Historic Community Event
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Palm Bay, Florida – The Palm Bay Marketplace & Community Center, a dynamic new hub designed to foster culture, business, and community connection celebrates its grand opening tonight in Palm Bay. The celebration begins at 4:30 PM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 438 Martin Road, Palm Bay, FL 32909, marking the official launch of this transformative space.
After the ribbon cutting, the event will transition into a vibrant Grand Opening Ceremony from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring a slate of entertainment including local and regional bands, such as Rising Lion, culminating in a headline set by Josh David Barrett, former lead singer of the legendary reggae band The Wailers. Barrett’s powerful vocals and reggae vibes will bring an unforgettable energy to the night, celebrating unity and community spirit.
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The Palm Bay Marketplace & Community Center, a vision of local entrepreneur Royal Smith, is designed to be a safe space for networking and driving positive change.
“It’s more than a grand opening—it’s the beginning of a movement to empower our community, showcase local talent, and create new opportunities for growth,” Smith said. The center features job training programs, an entrepreneurial resource center connecting small businesses with those in need of services, educational workshops, live music events, and an on-site bistro offering food and drinks.
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Attendees can expect a night filled with:
Live music and entertainment from local bands and Josh David Barrett.
Delicious food and drinks served at the on-site bistro.
Opportunities to connect with local businesses, neighbors, and community leaders.
A historic ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, attended by distinguished guests, dignitaries, and city leaders.
Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceremony start at $10, with premium options including a VIP Experience, Sponsor Circle, and Company Support Package, with corporate sponsorship tables priced at $500. Ticket sales will directly support the Marketplace and Community Center’s successful launch, enabling expanded services and resources for the Palm Bay and Melbourne communities. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/4q35c6u.
Smith calls the Grand Opening a “night of unity” and hopes the new facility opens the door to a brighter future. “This event is more than a celebration,” says Smith, “it’s a chance to be part of Palm Bay’s history.”
Josh David Barrett Biography
Josh David Barrett was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in a musical environment influenced by Motown, church choir singing, and community mentors. He comes from a diverse musical background and began his journey playing instruments like bass in a church band while discovering reggae. At age 14, he learned of his familial ties to the Barrett family central to The Wailers’ history—specifically, he is a cousin to Aston “Family Man” Barrett, the band’s legendary bassist and co-founder (who passed away in 2024). Before joining The Wailers, Barrett fronted his own soul/reggae band, Judah Tribe, which toured extensively in the US. The group opened for major acts like Steel Pulse, Inner Circle, and notably, The Wailers themselves in 2012 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center—an event that sparked his connection to the band through his relatives, including the late Family Man Barrett and his son Aston Barrett Jr.
Time with The Wailers
Barrett joined The Wailers in 2014 (or 2015, per some sources) as lead singer, brought in by Aston Barrett Jr. to help carry forward the band’s revolutionary reggae sound and messages of unity, justice, and Rastafari spirituality. As a “Rastaman by lifestyle and culture,” he was praised for his energetic performances, powerful vocals, and ability to channel Bob Marley’s spirit while bridging old and new reggae traditions. He shared the stage with original Wailers members like guitarist Junior Marvin and bassist Donald Kinsey, as well as Family Man Barrett when his health allowed. During his tenure:
The band toured globally, including headline shows in the UK (performing the Legend album in full), US, India, and South America.
They released the album One World in 2020, which earned a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album—Barrett contributed as vocalist, writer, and producer.
Barrett described the band as a “school” for learning classic Jamaican reggae, crediting mentors like Marvin, Kinsey, Tyrone Downie, and Earl “Wire” Lindo.
He served in the role until around 2021 or 2022, after which he departed to pursue other projects, earning the distinction of “former lead singer.”
Post-Wailers and Other Achievements
Since leaving The Wailers, Barrett has continued his solo and collaborative work, often emphasizing spiritual and unifying themes in reggae. He co-founded or performs with projects like Josh David Barrett & Dubroc under Vine and Figtree Records, blending reggae with dub influences. His broader credits include:
Production on Q-Tip’s 2008 album The Renaissance (Grammy-nominated for Best Rap Album in 2010), earning a 2009 BET Hip-Hop Award for “CD of the Year.”
A 2018-2019 “Bob Marley Musician Career Achievement Award” from the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRWMA).
A 2021 IRWMA “Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album” for One World with The Wailers.
Performances at venues like the United Nations and openings for icons like Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer tributes.
Barrett views music as a “spiritual uniting force” and often speaks of humanity as “one big family,” a philosophy rooted in Rastafari principles that he brings to his live shows and recordings.
