A Dunedin 9-year-old has finished runner-up in an international songwriting competition, despite his main rivals being adults.
Singer-songwriter Jayden Jesudhass returned from the Capital Country Music Association's 48th National Talent Quest in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, yesterday having finished not only runner-up in the junior male vocal and open instrumental categories, but also in the open songwriting division.
His mother, Lien Trinh, said in an email from Tamworth of all three prizes, the songwriting section was the most amazing one as the competition was very strong.
Jayden had to send a CD of his original song Yellow Barn to Tamworth, and was selected from 27 contestants of all ages to perform it at the competition.
''Eventually winning the second prize was simply unimaginable,'' Ms Trinh said.
Jayden was due to arrive back in Dunedin last night and will perform his original song in a concert at 1pm today at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.
The concert was intended to show his appreciation of the financial support from the public, which allowed him to go to Tamworth.
