As far as other instrumentalists, I used to love mellow sax players like Paul Desmond. I love piano.
The short answer is, yes, I think I have become a better singer.
I think the women - Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu - are doing new conceptual things and using their voices to create new American music.
I'm easily distracted by other things in the world around me.
My first love was the sound of guitar.
My songwriting and my style became more complex as I listened, learned, borrowed and stole and put my music together.