I agree 100% with you Tony, I also love the instruments. My objection is to the people that think that singers are somehow inferior becuase they "only" sing.
I'm sure we all know alot of great and not so great musicians that can't sing at all.
I'm 55 Tony, and find myself in your shoes except in a former life I was a guitar player but am now learning the keyboard. I got my Tyros back around Oct. And I too owe the members of this forum a great deal in helping me progress to this point.
I know there are a lot better players, and singers. And more experienced entertainers, I consider myself lucky that I was able to keep music as a hobby and make my main living at something else.
But for some people to feel so superior that they don't have to treat everyone else with common courtesy that they demand, is a shame.
After all we're not curing cancer or feeding the hungry, or solving world peace.