and none of that negates the points Eddie makes. There are just two different musical goals here, and each one requires a different path and has different rewards.

My counterpoint to the discussion is that I (me personally, regardless of other people's opportunities and talents) see no point in writing original songs. To me it's the functional equivalent of building sand castles at low tide. At the end of the day, I have nothing that I know how to market. With literally millions of people posting original songs online, and nobody willing to pay for music anymore... it makes more sense to me to spend my time crafting backing tracks that can be used for live performances. I know that I can make money that way.

Its possible to make money the other way too.. but I already know how to market a cover act. I'm too old to start learning how to go the other route.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0