Sooo Eddie,
While I absolutely "get" the preference for performing one's own work, but if I get what you're saying, then my art is worthless...

I do not, and doubt I ever will, have the sheer talent to write good music (or maybe I do, but I've never found it). For this reason I must play music written by others or I can't play at all.

Add to that the fact I am a trombone player, there is somewhat less repertoire available... Of course, the only way I know to hold a guitar is like a sledge hammer and I'm quite sure I wouldn't get the kind of music I hear Tommy Emmanuel playing if I do it that way.

On the other hand, I have been known to put together quite a nice rendition of many tunes, that sadly were written by others, yet still nice renditions. I've even been known to occasionally fluke some nice improv solos, but not enough to suggest I could be a talented writer or composer.

Now, you poo-poo'd the validity of comparing Sinatra with cover bands, yet the bald truth is Sinatra covered every song he ever sang. You cannot simply exclude him from a discussion of covers, all same Elvis, and the aforementioned Tommy Emmanuel and on and on and on...

As you seem to have the talent to write your own stuff then good on you. I envy that ability, but please don't relegate the rest of us to the trash heap just because our particular talents don't happen to lie in that direction.

We play, and we love OUR art.

--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya laugh --=--
You're only paranoid if you're wrong!