I have read articles of many of the old time stars of the past recording and producing albums on a laptop, with the new capabilities of digital music today you can create amazing sound inside a simple system that took 100s of thousands dollar of gear in years past. I also know some amazing musicians that never made it cause they had other goals, but still can play/entertain like the big names can.

I think calling out folks here and on other forums cause they are not household names is kind of bad form, and really short sighted. Not ever talented person wants to shine before a world stage, some just really enjoy and are adept at music, as well as other things. I don't consider myself a talented musician. But i can entertain friends and eve stranger at times. I am like Eddie in that i have several other talents, I am a fair carpenter, i owned and operated a successful alarm business like Guitarhacker does. I am a bonded and licensed Locksmith, but my day job is a manager of a contraction company.

Still one of my true deep interior loves is music. I play the guitar, and bass. not great but adequately. It make Me happy.

There are some very talented people here and on other forums. Some have more talent that big name "artist" They either are to busy making a life for themselves and their families, not in the right situation, or have other goals. That does not make them less talented. Look at some of the people that were mentioned above, or alluded to. Brian Wilson, famous, and considered a genius. Are all his songs great lyrical milestones? Not some were simple and even childish, what made him famous was his ability to layer sound. Bob Dylan, was he ever a great singer? Not really, but good enough to make his craft stand out. Actually many of his songs i just don't get. For most of these mentioned they wanted this, and positioned themselves carefully, and them with a ton of hard work, and a huge pile of luck.

Back to the cover issue again, some of the biggest names in the history of music were cover artist. Anyone ever know of one song Elvis Presley wrote? I can't think of one. All his originals were written by other song writers, and many of his hits were covers from other genres.

Just because someone does this for a hobby does not mean they are untalented, and just because someone makes it big does no mean they are, it just means that they are both doing what they want, and can do. Some cover work is great, some sucks, some original artist are great, some suck. it is a bad idea to put others in a box because what they do is not our cup of tea. Those who box others often get boxed as well.

As Peter G says, have fun!

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