Tucumcari man in national songwriting contest

Tucumcari's Levi Mericle, who has had his poetry recognized and published internationally, is a finalist in the International Song Writing Competition.

Mericle's song "Whiskey Deep," is among 13 finalists in the "Lyrics Only" category listed on the contest's website, songwritingcompetition.com. There are 23 categories in all, with first-, second- and third-place awards given in each.

Additionally, songs in every category are open to the "public voice" competition, with the winner chosen by online votes.

Past winners in the competition include Vance Joy, Gotye, Bastille, Kehlani, The Band Perry, Kimbra, and Passenger, according to the contest's website.

Judges for this year's competition include artists such as Tom Waits, Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Lorde, Bastille, Martie McGuire (Dixie Chicks), Nancy Wilson (Heart), and other notables from rock, country and jazz music, the website notes.

The panel also includes recording and music industry executives from Elektra, Chrysalis, Sony Music and other recording and music publishing firms, the website states.

The contest is recommended for new songwriters by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the industry's premiere performance rights organization.