I have finally taken the plunge.  Thank you to all who posted with computer program advice.  I looked into every program mentioned, and ended up convinced that the best bang for my small buck would be Acid Pro 4.  I did, however, even consider going Mac, for the simple reason that Garageband is included as standard 'ware.  (Learn something new every day.)

Now the question will be, how listenable will my recordings be?  Can I take the high road now & eschew all the major labels, even though, unlike some around here, I have no hit songs to my credit? 

Hmm. Doesn't have quite the same impact, does it?  Oh well.

Thank you.

Herring405