SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- August 28, 2026 -- James Malcolm Band's "Is It Never Too Late" advanced to the Finals of American Songwriter's 3rd Annual Road Ready Talent Contest, the publication announced Aug. 27, 2026. The South Florida band, led by singer Malcolm Philip Flavell, moved past an earlier Semi-Finalist round and now stands one selection away from a live performance slot in Nashville this October. American Songwriter will select three finalists for that Nashville show. The recognition adds to a breakout year for the Davie, Florida-based act.
American Songwriter Will Pick Three Acts For Nashville
The contest is now in its third year, and James Malcolm Band cleared the Semi-Finalist round before reaching the Finals. "Is It Never Too Late" was written by Jason Milgram, Malcolm Flavell and Marc Loren, and appears on the band's debut album, Never Too Late. The next round narrows the Finalist field to three acts who will perform live in Nashville in October 2026.
"You put a lot of yourself into a song and then hope it connects with somebody when you finally let it go," said Malcolm Flavell of James Malcolm Band. Getting the chance to play "Is It Never Too Late" in Nashville would mark a new chapter for the band.
Not every unsigned band gets that kind of shot.
Knock On Marble Also Earns A 2026 Nod
James Malcolm Band's music video "Knock On Marble" was named a 2026 Finalist in the Music Video category of the Unsigned Only Music Awards. The video also competed for Fandemonium, the fan-voted award, with voting open once per day through Aug. 28, 2026. The two Finalist selections cover both the band's songwriting and its visual work in the same year.
Fort Lauderdale Shows Keep Building Momentum
James Malcolm Band played its first Fort Lauderdale concert in December 2025, followed by a second show in July 2026. The band has been invited to perform at a Dolly Parton tribute on Sept. 7, 2026, at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale. It will return to the same venue for a third Fort Lauderdale concert on Nov. 13, 2026. Less than a year after its first local show, the band now holds two national Finalist recognitions alongside an expanding performance calendar.