Lauded as one of the finest voices in Scotland, singer and songwriter Jim Malcolm returns to the Shoals for his fourth performance. Shoals Celtic Concerts, recently active again after a few years’ hiatus, sponsors Malcolm’s appearance. “We consistently get more e-mail asking when Jim Malcolm is coming back more than any other artist we’ve ever had,” said Scooter Muse, an organizer of Shoals Celtic Concerts along with Doug Stokes.

“I’ve never heard a better singer or harmonica player, and his skill on the guitar is incredible.” Malcolm grew up with traditional Scottish music. He began winning songwriting competitions and playing in folk clubs in his early 20s. He went on to perform at festivals and on TV and radio while his songwriting made him a leader in traditional Scottish music - he was named 2004 Scots Traditional Music Awards Songwriter of the Year.

He’s toured around the world both as the lead singer with the Celtic group Old Blind Dogs and as a solo act. He released his seventh solo CD, “Acquaintance,” early this year. Malcolm visited the Shoals twice before on solo tours and once with the Old Blind Dogs and has looked forward to returning. ” ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ was one of the songs I listened to over and over again when I was a teenager,” he said.

“You can hardly imagine the kick it gave me the first time I came to play in Florence to know that I was playing just a stone’s throw from Muscle Shoals, which is actually mentioned in the song. Of course, the music I play is nothing like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s, but they definitely featured on my musical map.” From the first time he played here, he’s felt right at home, Malcolm said. “I’ve been doing more and more work in the USA because I find American audiences so rewarding to play for.