FWIW, I thought the "I'll let you guys get back to your 12 bar blues." comment was pretty snarky.

I think diminishing someone else's music with your 12 bar blues comment is exactly what you were railing against after taking offense to another's criticism.

How many great pop, rock, country songs follow a I - IV - V format??? They may not all be 12 bars or straight up blues, but that progression is a template that is the DNA of western popular music. Any of your songs ever fit that progression?

I have written, recorded and performed my own music for many years, and yes, it is definitely rooted in blues, but goes on from there. It's about how it's played, what it says, and less about the number of bars.

And believe me, not everyone can play blues. It ain't just notes.