APPLE GROVE — Today, one young and talented man from the area will represent Mason County at the state Colgate Country Showdown in Parkersburg.

Jesse Crawford, 21, of Apple Grove, has been preparing for this event since he was named the winner of the WBYG Big Country 99.5 Colgate Country Showdown in July.

“First, I have to thank God. Without him, I wouldn’t be here,” Crawford said. He continued to thank his church, family, friends and the community for all of the support he has received. He also sends a big ‘thank you’ to Faye Barton.

Crawford plans to sing, play guitar, as well as play the harmonica at the state finals, just as he did we he won at the Riverfront Park one month ago. He will be singing two selections, one from Garth Brooks and the other from Alan Jackson.

“I am excited and ready to have fun,” Crawford said.

Shari Cochran, WBYG Manager, is proud to have Crawford as a representative.

“I think that Jesse will represent WBYG very well in the state competition. He has talent and is a well-rounded young man,” she said.

Crawford has been playing guitar for three years. He just recently learned how to play the harmonica, another instrument he taught himself. He said that his inspiration comes from God and that if he hears something, then he can play it and that is how he learns. Crawford is currently learning the fiddle and working on writing a few songs.

He also plays in a band with his brothers Cody and Ryan Canterbury. Together, they have performed at numerous festivals, community and church events. They have already been scheduled to sing at the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, an event they enjoyed being part of last year.

Crawford said that his influences come from Tom Petty, Bryan Adams and Queen, but that he loves all types of music. He also is a huge fan of country legends, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson and he enjoys playing and singing George Straight and Garth Brooks’ songs.

Besides focusing on doing well at the state finals, Crawford studies as a sophomore at Marshall University where he is majoring in Graphic Arts.

Today, around 6 p.m. at the Parkersburg Homecoming, Crawford will have a chance to win $1,000 as well as an opportunity to perform at one of the five regional competitions this fall. If selected as a winner there, he will receive an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals in Nashville, Tenn. and have the opportunity to compete for the $100,000 grand prize and the National title.