For Zack Fletcher, a chance at a record deal could be a few clicks away.Fletcher entered an online
contest to win the chance to produce a four-song EP with producer Don Was. Was has produced artists such as
The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Elton John."It’s a good opportunity to show (my videos) off and see
what I can do," said Fletcher, 25, a Bowling Green native and university alumnus. "Since I started
playing the guitar at age 11, playing professionally has been my main goal as a career."Fletcher heard
about the contest through Guitar Center, which sponsors it. Contestants upload their music videos to the
website and for each view or share they receive, points are allotted to their profile. Was and the judges
then choose 10 finalists to perform live before a winner is chosen.As of this morning, Fletcher was ranked
43rd out of more than 6,700 artists. The competition ends Nov. 3."From the moment I’ve been on there I
have been telling people and got tons of support," he said.Fletcher competes against both solo artists
and full bands, but feels what gives him an edge is the soul he puts in his music."It comes from the
depths of my feelings and is as sincere as music can possibly be from my perspective," Fletcher said,
who describes his music as singer songwriter mixed with folk, rock and blues.Fletcher draws inspirations
from Led Zeppelin, especially its third album, which is acoustic like his own music."It seems like they
draw upon everything they like in music, which is similar to the process I use," he said.Most of
Fletcher’s songs deal with experiences or feelings he has. "They don’t always tell a story, but paint
an image," he said.One of his favorites of his own songs is "Chase Away the Ghost," about
having to something behind before you’re ready, Fletcher said. The song is posted on his contest profile
page.When he’s not creating his own music, Fletcher keeps himself busy by working at Pagliai’s Pizza,
teaching Spanish in a preschool in Findlay, giving guitar lessons and playing in the hard rock band Flaming
Hot Marbles.As a solo artist, he has performed all over town including Howard’s, Cla-Zel and Grumpy Dave’s
Pub. He’ll perform Wednesday at a special Hump Day Revue benefit for downtown Christmas lights at The Stones
Throw. That show starts at 7 p.m. and features a number of other local performers.The best thing about
playing live shows, Fletcher said, is connecting with the audience and showing them his passion."It’s a
really good feeling, especially when I get into my groove because it’s the most ‘in the moment’ I
feel," he said. "It’s very therapeutic."As Fletcher approaches the end date of the
competition, he said he will be happy no matter the result."It’s a validation of the years of work and
planning I put into it," he said. "Regardless if I win or lose, I am proud of what I’ve
done."Fletcher’s contest profile can be viewed at songwriter.revimage.com/channels/Zack+Fletcher.