Up and running!

I would think that most people who listen to and buy pop music today have no idea if a song is written by the singer, nor do they care. That seems to be a concern only for invested fans. I don't think it is a prerequisite to becoming a mega star. However, having your name as a writer/co-writer makes the song more profitable for the singer.

The singer/songwriter tradition seems to be a trend in pop, rock and country in the past half century. Earlier, most of the great singers did not write their own songs. Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand...... none were composers. And, of course, in classical music, performers and composers were almost totally separate.

As to Adam learning an instrument, he is highly musical and intelligent. He has a very fine ear. I have no doubt that if he wanted to, he could learn to play an instrument and read music. But, why would he? He is a virtuoso vocalist already. One of the best in the world. He has devoted years to his craft, and continues to hone and practice it. It would take many years and countless hours to become as proficient on an instrument as he is with his voice. What would be the point? When he can hire and work with the best instrumentalists in the business right now.

Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the best players basketball has ever produced. When he first retired, he thought he could transfer his athletic skills to baseball and become a major league star. Yeah, that didn't work out for him.

I just don't see Adam devoting his life to playing an instrument when he is so perfect as a frontman and lead vocalist.