Philboy, interesting story about your music background, your story is not unlike many of us (especially us older guys).
I too began playing in the mid-sixties and was a member of a garage band with one exception, we did practice. The impact the music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other's that made up the British Invasion caused the American musicians to rise to the occasion also.
Back in the day (there's an expression to date myself), there were live bands performing in every bar, in every town, on every corner , and two or three bars in-between. I'm sure The MAB can even remember those days (sorry MAB to put you in that era). The music hadn't transferred to the new sound yet, most of those bars and clubs were playing the country songs of Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Buck Owens and others. They slowly worked in the new sound of Elvis, Chuck Berry (Johnny B Good was a crowd favorite), (anyone remember "Wipeout"); before working in something new like "Louie Louie", "Hang On Sloopy" or something like that.
My point is; all of these local musicians and bar bands inspired a new generation of musicians to learn how to play music.
Of course they were all inspired by the major acts and recording artists they imitated; but the music bug was passed down
and moved forward to the next generation. This movement inspired many of the great artists and musicians to practice and become major atrist's themselves.
The best of the best in the music industry would have continued to make records, money, and keep the music going execpt for the invention of affordable recording equipment (even before the internet). This allowed DJ's to take over the local music scene by showing up with only a PA system and a stack of hit recordings to under cut the live bands. Soon the popularity of sound tracks (without lead vocals) allowed Karaoke singers the chance to perform with professional music and allowing them to shine for a song or two.
MAB has spoken many time about the changes in the music industry after the effects of the internet and illegal downloading. Those are the 'cons' and the changes we can't change.
There are still some pro's involved though. The desire to make music, to be creative, and the desire to be heard is still alive.
Like you and me Philboy, we are part of a large quantity of like minded people that love music and want to be a part of the process; regardless of how small our footprint may leave a mark. However, guys and gals like you and me, and everyone better than us, keep the industry going. We are the ones that support the remaining independant Labels, the Publishers looking for the next big song, the former hit songwriters putting on a seminar trying to survive, and even our well respected MAB that has the answers and knowledge to share, even for those of us that have very limited talent to offer the industry.
In my opinion, it's the million of us "Wanna Bees" that will keep the music industry alive for the better talented writers and artists. We will be the majority getting off the bus in Nashville and spending the last of our savings before boarding the bus a few months later heading back towards home, we are the ones sending our songs to NSAI for critiques and entering song contests hoping someone might want to hear our songs. We will spend the money, make the trips and never give up on hope that we will be the next big thing in Nashville.
We will also be the parents of the next generation of singers and musicians that have grown up hearing our storyies of Nashville and our dreams of almost making it in the music industry; if only they took time to hear our songs. Awe..... will it never end???
I hope not. Ha!!!
OD