I don't think I've ever really felt like a "copycat". If you play an instrument, you are a musician. I think the defining point is when you play that very first song on your own, from start to finish and pull it off with a certain level of competence. And truth be told, that level doesn't have to be very high in the beginning.

My early years of learning songs on the radio were the foundation where I learned how to play by ear. This led to the backyard, basement, and garage jam sessions where people learned to play and improvise over the songs and chord progressions. I recall hundreds of jam sessions involving 1,4,5 chords played over and over. Essentially, the way I see it, whether you are creating only original music or playing 100% cover material, that qualifies you as a musician. No "ifs, ands or buts" about it.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.