Tyler Porch was in 13-year-old heaven, surrounded by walls of amps and platoons of electric guitars, cranking away at "Sweet Child O' Mine" on his Schecter.
He had a stage, a crowd of listeners and all the wattage he might need. What could make this rock 'n' roll dream complete?
Mom?
OK, perhaps Dear Old Mom isn't the first person that jumps to mind when a kid wants to cut loose and shred. But some moms rock.
That's why there are "My Mom Rocks" competitions in Houston, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and, on Saturday, in Atlanta. Sponsored by Camp Jam and staged at Guitar Center in Atlanta, the contest offered a free week of rock 'n' roll camp for the kid with the rockingest mom, plus a Spa Sydell gift certificate for the lady.
Does Tyler's mom rock?
"I don't think she's ever sung into a microphone before," marveled Mark Porch, as he watched his wife Kellie brazen her way through the Guns N' Roses tune, backed by Tyler making like Slash on the high overtones.
The Porch family (including Anna, 5, who shouted from the audience "That's my Mommy!") made the trip from Canton so that Tyler could compete in the guitar solo competition, also sponsored by Camp Jam. Entering the rocking mom contest was a whim — a terrifying whim.
Kellie, 40, teaches at a Montessori school, and doesn't even like to make announcements over the public address system. But she overcame her microphone fear for the sake of Tyler.
"Moms will do anything for their children," she said, afterward, smiling gamely.
Her chief competition came from Nancy Hoddinott, 48, a manager with Turner Broadcasting, who was swept into the contest without much forethought.
"I'm not a musician!" she cried as her moment approached.
Her 14-year-old son Luke Putney, who also participated in the guitar solo competition, offered some comforting words.
"I will support her," he said, as she listened in. "Even if she sounds really bad."
Stepping up in front of the house band (composed of Camp Jam counselors on guitar, bass and drums), Hoddinott kicked off the Pat Benatar chestnut "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." And nailed it.
She acknowledged the applause from the moms, dads and teenagers gathered at the store's impromptu performance space, and seemed glad to get back off the stage.
Sitting on the sidelines, Luke celebrated his mother's performance. Legally blind after an aneurysm two years ago, Luke couldn't see the smile on her face, but he could hear the roar of the crowd.
"She won!" he predicted.
He was right.
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