Four NZ songs finalists at International Songwriting Contest

New Zealand is well-represented at the world famous 4th Annual International Songwriting Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, with four songs making it into the finals.

Wayne Mason, writer and performer of Nature, the New Zealand's first home-grown No 1 chart hit in 1970, is a finalist in the alternative/roots/Americana category with his new song Sense Got Out .

West Auckland band Zebulun is a finalist in the gospel/Christian category with its song Made Up My Mind. Zebulun is a Christian five-piece alternative rock band, who recently played at Parachute, a massive Christian music festival.

Auckland band Tourist's song Do You Feel the Cold, written by Peter Rudd, is a finalist in the pop/top 40 category, along with Goldenhorse's Maybe Tomorrow, written by Geoff Maddock for debut album Riverhead.

Category and overall competition winners will be announced mid-March .

Finalists are vying for prizes worth tens of thousands of dollars, but also for the recognition and industry interest that the annual competition generates.

- NZPA