Bill,
according to my son, the best lyrics were written in the 60's and the 80's has some of the best music. But today their is a lot of very good music being done,(as well as a lot of the oposite
). Most of the good ones have their roots and inspirations from the BBkings, and stevie rays, and all the rest. Look at it this way, he didn't change as much as he grew, he used what he knew and now he is taking his own path. It will be interesting where it leads.
The two people my son works with one ,(kanye), started out as a backup singer, and the other one,(GAGA), started singing in a bikini at clubs in new york at 17-18. They are driven people and their parents didn't like some of the stuff they were doing in the beginning.
they got used to it.
Good luck,
the fun is just beginning,
enjoy it,
jeff