Just as it's recently been mentioned how reading about other folks' favourite music and bands has often had the benefit of expanding one's own musical interests, I've found the same to be true when listening to fellow members' musical offerings over in the Songs forum.
I've taken an interest in, and enjoyed listening to, a number of genres of music I would probably have otherwise never taken an interest in.
James won't mind me saying this, but Slow Marching Band's songs would probably have been exactly the type of music I would never have listened to. But when you know the people who created the music, and are aware also that they used the same or similar software as yourself to record and produce it, you somehow feel more willing to take a listen.
And this is exactly what happened to me with SMB; James and Larrys' beautifully crafted songs opened my ears to a style of music I wouldn't have probably even considered listening to. I regularly listen to their stunning CD, alongside albums from other Songs forum members such as Frank Tanton, and my old pals Bob Oister and Mark Wessels.
Another relevant point I think worth raising is that James was one of the guys who
really helped me over in the Guitar Tracks forum with my first fumbling steps into the world of digital recording. And the thing is, to me anyway, that when you listen to the calibre of music and the quality of the production that guys like James consistently deliver, you know their advice can be trusted, and you welcome (and actively seek out) their opinions and help whenever possible. To me, that's worth more than any amount of pretentious bull from guys who simply talk the talk, but haven't got as much as one bar of their own music for others to listen to - step forward Daveny5 & John, to name but two.