Ms Muse - I know where your coming from. I'm a good, old-fashioned English Chap and, to be honest, most of my best friends are female - but it's great, as there are no expectations there.
As for your Mum - Well, you know how they are! They will grab all the attention from you, but you wouldn't be without them! I've got a pretty cool Mum, too, although she hasn't such a good taste in music as yours!
Anyhoo -
You've obiously met a few decent musicians in life. What did guys like Biff, Dave Murray etc have to say when you met them?