Ohio Firefighter Auditioning For 'The Voice' TV Show

MANCHESTER, Ohio | A Manchester man has his hopes and dreams pinned on an audition for “The Voice,” an NBC-TV vocal talent competition.

Early in January, Zollie Gardner, 36, a singer and Manchester volunteer firefighter, learned his application to audition had been accepted, and plans were made to go to Chicago, for the open audition phase of the talent search process.

Gardner fell ill and missed the audition, but was given a chance to participate in the one in Houston, Texas, or send a video of his performance.

“I'm going to Texas,” Gardner said.

Gardner, includes three children in his blended family, with wife, Missy Conn Gardner, including Kayla Jo Birgit Gardner, Christel Elisabeth Kroll and R.D. Beasley.

He refers to Missy as ,”... the love of my life.”

Though the judges seen on the final sessions of the show will not be at open auditions, Gardner is hopeful his voice will carry him through to the episodes when judges listen, during blind auditions, with their backs to the performers, and turn around their chairs only after deciding to entice the performer to pick them as a coach for the remainder of the competition.

“I love my community and everyone in it … I will represent Manchester well, I promise,” Gardner said."

One of the judges may remember Manchester. In April 2005, country music star Blake Shelton performed a benefit concert at Manchester High School.

"I missed it, but I wanted to go," Gardner said.

Gardner sings a variety of music, including Usher and Akon songs, and a mixture a rock and country music, he said.

Usher joined The Voice as a coach/judge for the season opening March 25.

Singers Shakira, and Adam Levine of Maroon 5, along with Shelton and Usher round out the coach/judge teams this season.

Manchester residents can get a preview of Gardner's talent at 7 p.m., on Feb. 2, when Gardner performs at the Manchester Community Building.

Manchester has been hosting concerts throughout the summer months providing entertainment for the community, Mayor Troy Jolly said.

"Our village has several great bands and voices,” Jolly said. "Zollie is a good friend, one who I have been on many fire scenes with, and now I look forward to introducing him as our first performer of 2013."

In the final live performance phase of "The Voice" competition, the top artists from each team will compete each week against each other during a live broadcast. The television audience will vote to save their favorite artists and the two artists with the lowest number of votes will be sent home each week. In the end, one will be named “The Voice” and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract.

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