Brendan Fletcher Belts It Out on NBC’s The Voice

As an undergraduate at BU, Brendan Fletcher (CGS’10, COM’12) planned to become a screenwriter. He graduated with a degree in film and television and took a shot, but eventually, Fletcher’s first love—music—won out. The New Jersey native had formed his first band with his brother when he was 12, after learning guitar. By early this year, he was tending bar in New York City to make the rent and playing music with his brother in small clubs around the city. Then, in February, Fletcher got the kind of break many musicians dream about. He went to an open audition for NBC’s The Voice, vying against thousands of would-be recording artists before being selected to participate in the blind auditions and becoming one of 48 singers chosen to compete. Since September, when the 11th season launched, Fletcher has become a familiar face to millions of Americans. He’s now one of the final eight singers competing for the grand prize, which includes $100,000 and a recording contract.

Contestants appear on one of four teams, each coached by a different celebrity musician. Television viewers vote each week to determine who stays and who goes. Fletcher is on Team Adam, coached by Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine. The show, Fletcher says, has been a whirlwind of experiences, everything from congratulatory messages from his rock heroes to tweeting selfies with the likes of Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey.

Last night’s competitive round, Fletcher sang Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel.” Tonight, he will find out if he’s advanced to the next level when the show airs live at 8 p.m.

BU Today spoke with Fletcher from Los Angeles last week, as he was preparing for this week’s competition, to talk about the impact The Voice has had on his life.