Hi Marty,
I got kind of a weird question. Back when you were still trying to make it as a guitar player, did you seek out competition just too see where you're standing, or did you avoid it, or did it not bother you at all. What is the right attitude?

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer all of our's questions!
You rock!

Friendly competition is great for developing solid playing skills and good 'people skills'. Anything more serious than friendly competition is absolutely stupid and will very likely have a negative effect on your playing and your cirlcle of friends.