Evan Overand of Elkhorn, Manitoba is the new 2012 GX94 Star Search champion.

Overand was chosen by judges from among eight finalists in the last round of the country music competition at the Yorkton Exhibition on Saturday night.

“I’m just really excited. I’m glad a lot of people came out to watch and I was well-received, and I can’t wait to see what this next year’s got planned,” Overand said after the competition.

The 22-year-old musician has been slowly building a reputation in country music circles since his teenage years.

“My dad played guitar from when he was probably 15 or 16, and I ended up picking up one of his old guitars at home and just learning off a book that he had in high school,” said Overand.

As Star Search champion, Overand receives a Montana Silversmith belt buckle, the use of a vehicle from Haas Nissan for one year, and the recording and release of two songs on GX94 radio.

Overand recently returned from a one-year stay in Australia and has been working around his hometown ever since. He is now in the process of beginning an electrician apprenticeship program.

“That’s where I’m hoping to go if the music thing doesn’t work out.”

A songwriter as well as a singer and guitar player, Overand hopes to have some of his original songs on the radio in the coming year.

Beyond that, he’s not sure what his next step will be.

“I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing—just playing whenever I can and going as many places as I can and meeting new people.”