If we could turn back time, we’d set our clocks to April 26th, 2024—an enchanted Friday night at Kemba Live. The Childhood League members stood on the edge of their nerves, palms sweaty, waiting for the grand opening of the inaugural Battle of the Cover Bands Columbus. The talent? Top-notch. The venue? Smoking hot. But would the crowd show up? You bet your sweet buns they did, and they rolled in right at 7.

Why? Because when a Taylor Swift cover band kicks off the show, you don’t just stroll in fashionably late. No, you arrive early and ready to be dazzled. Sailor Twift, our T-Swizzle tribute band, had the audience buzzing from the first strum of their guitar. They blasted through all the eras, reminding us all why we’re for-evermore "Cray-Cray for Tay-Tay."

As the crowd settled in, the lights dimmed, and a surprise opener stepped into the spotlight: the Columbus Children’s Choir, Capriccio. They set the night ablaze with a heart-pounding rendition of "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, accompanied by our first competing band, Zero Hour—a fierce, female-led group from Akron, Ohio. And yes, they brought the heat.

Next up, Zack Attack, our Columbus hometown heroes, swaggered onto the stage. Clad in tie-dye tank tops, they knew exactly what we wanted—booty-shaking, hip-groovin’, 90s nostalgia. They nailed it, leaving the crowd wild for more.

Then came New Standard Soul Jam, another Columbus gem. This band was a double threat, with two of everything: singers, drummers, guitarists. My son’s guitar teacher happens to be one of the lead electric guitar players, and let me tell you, they poured out soulful, sweet, sweet jams that echoed through the night.

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: Are Zack and Kelly actually going to end up together?! Oh wait, wrong show... and the winner’s drumroll, please… Zack Attack takes the crown! They snagged the grand prize of $5,000, proving that sometimes, the hometown favorites really do take it all. This event was such a hit that people are already counting down the days until next year.

But wait, there's more! The VIP guests enjoyed delectable bites courtesy of Cameron Mitchell’s Catering, an open bar, and exclusive access to a VIP lounge that would make even the biggest rockstars jealous. We have to give a huge shout-out to our  incredible sponsors - Tri-W, Katrina Thompson, Bill + Kaki Scala, Arlington Dental (for sponsoring our lights camera action 360 photo booth), Baird (dessert table), K-Nova, Garage Beer (for decking out the band's dressing rooms), and Kitchen Tune-Up. You made this night unforgettable.

The night wasn’t just about music; we also had mini-golf! The hole-in-one contest winner scored a round at the Golf Club of Dublin. And let’s not forget the swag: fuzzy sunglasses, blinky lanyards, and glow bracelets that lit up the night. Our hype girls roamed the venue in LED light-up white fur jackets with tulle light-up mohawks and guitars, handing out bracelets to those generous enough to donate $50.

This event was the definition of rock 'n' roll fun, and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year. Stay tuned, Columbus—we’re just getting started.