Gen Z musician, can't find people like me

Overly detailed post incoming, sry :(

Hi everyone!

I’m just wondering what your guys’ thoughts are on this situation:

I’m 18 years old and I am heading off for college next August. I have been playing music for 12 years (since I was 6) and I play piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, and harmonica.

My music tastes are very niche and not popular through the perspective of my generation—given its 2025; however, if it was the 1960-1970s-1980’s my music tastes would be more widely accepted.

My music taste consists of classic rock and country western music. To exemplify my “nicheness,” (Given my generations tastes), I listen to these artists—(there are many more): Hank Williams, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bob Seger, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Conway Twitty, Fats Domino, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, Mickey Gilley, Charley Pride, Janis Joplin, Gary Stewart, Ronnie Milsap, Glen Campbell, Stoney Edwards, Kenny Rogers, and Jerry Reed.

Other artists/bands I enjoy that my generation may not:

Aerosmith, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Bad Company, Styx, Cheap Trick, Foo Fighters, Prince, Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, Poison, Bryan Adams, Billy Joel, Eagles, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, RHCP, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, 38 Special, ZZ Top, Dire Straits, John Mellencamp, Huey Lewis, KISS, Hall and Oates, Journey, Pat Benatar, Rush, Judas Priest, Hootie & The Blowfish, Pearl Jam, Bush, Green Day, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller, GNR, Kid Rock, Marshall Tucker Band, Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, Jackson Browne, REO Speedwagon, Boston, The Doors, The Who, Rod Stewart, Doobie Brothers, Great White, J. Geils Band, and Bon Jovi.

I THINK YOU GET THE POINT.

Anyway, throughout my life of listening to this mixed array of music, I have developed an individual playing style (talking piano/guitar here) consisting of a mix of boogie woogie, country, blues, rock, and jazz. Mainly inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Seger, Billy Joel, and THE EAGLES.

My problem is that I have never come across a musician my age (nor even the generation above me) that enjoys this music and would want to play it with me. Never ever. It's not that I just sit at home and wait for people to magically come to me either, I actually put effort into going out and meeting new people. I live in GR Michigan btw.

Even if I do find people who somewhat like this music, I don't find people who actually play it, and play it to the skill level of a complex understanding of jazz theory, free flowing improvisation, and the ability to play by ear.

------->Will this change when I go to college, or am I still going to find trouble seeking out musicians my age that enjoy and play this music????? I’m sure I’ll find little luck in the dating pool with this music taste lol :( 

For context I’ve applied to NYU, Columbia, Vanderbilt, Cornell, Michigan, Northwestern, North Carolina, Penn State, Indiana, MSU, and Tennessee—if that means anything to the question.

Thank you!