He is known as the King of Festival.

Singer Eric Donaldson has won the National Festival Song Competition a record six times — Cherry Oh Baby 1971, Sweet Jamaica 1977, Land of My Birth 1978, Proud to Be Jamaica 1984, Big It Up 1993 and Peace and Love 1997 — yet he still feels Jamaicans have not remembered him.

In his acceptance speech at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association Honour Awards, held at the Little Theatre in St Andrew last Tuesday, Donaldson remarked how happy he was to receive the Icon Award from the local music umbrella organisation. However, he further noted that his delight was compounded by the fact that he often feels like he is not remembered.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following the event, which was the final activity to mark Reggae Month, Donaldson reiterated his stance that he is happy for this award, but can’t help but feel like he is forgotten here in his own country.

“Like I said, it feels very good to know that somebody remembers me. I’m in the business for a long time and I get a few awards years ago, but this is definitely something very different and I appreciate the whole movement.”

Despite not being visible locally, Donaldson is busy plying his trade globally and lists the South American major market of Brazil as being his mainstay.

“Right now I am busy working. I have an album called Cosmic, and I put out another album in October last year called Control Your Temper, which are both doing well in Brazil… cause Brazil is really my playground. There is also Africa, but the thing in Africa kinda slow down at this time but Brazil really keeping me going,” he explained.

For Donaldson, Brazil with its over 200 million people, the largest population of black people outside of Africa, has a true connection to the music from Jamaica. He added that there is that intangible connection that Brazilians have to our music, wherein despite the obvious language barrier they have built such a connection over the years and that bond is only getting stronger.

“Right now, the people in Brazil don’t really listen to the lyrics but there is a type of melody and a bear that they are clearly connecting with from a longer time. So whenever anyone comes with that beat or that melody that you immediately capture the heart of the Brazilian. So clearly they find that in my music and I just have to give thanks as they are really showing me love down there.

Despite his other recordings Cherry Oh Baby remains his most popular. The 48-year-old anthem has been covered by The Rolling Stones for their 1976 album, Black and Blue, and the British reggae outfit UB40 on their album Labour of Love in 1983. The song’s rhythm has also remained popular with over 30 cover versions recorded over the years including an update by Donaldson himself.