"I can't agree or admit that a decline of great musicianship for radio is any kind of progress."

Point taken. I meant that a musicians attitude, if they are too rooted in the 'artist' ideas and haven't really made it to the A team, can stand in the way of a songs ability to reach out to many people.

But really great musicians like Steve Cropper knows how to go with a song, go with the music. Same was with the guys that played on Elvis' RCA records in the 50'ies.. Chet Atkins, Hank Garland and later Barney Kassel.

I've always admired those session guys, still do. Who goes with the song, but add just a little something that makes it fly over the top! Current greats like Lee Ritenour and the guys in Fourplay, Brent Mason, Mike Dunbar.. too many to mention love

Those are also collaborations - between great musicians, songwriters, artists and producers..