People listen to music for different reasons. For the vast majority, it's because the lyrical content of a song resonates to them personally, and the music around it supports that emotional connection. It has nothing to do with technical ability with an instrument. As mentioned, Knopfler is no doubt a virtuoso as a guitarist. That's not why "Money For Nothing" has 650 million streams on Spotify. It's because working a shit job and seeing someone making a shit ton more with a lot less effort is kind of a universal experience that everyone has had at least some point in their lives.
I strongly err on the wrong side of that equation in my own song writing/playing. But, I'm not really looking to connect with a big audience. I just do what's meaningful to me and what I like listening to, and if it connects with anyone, great! If not, that's cool, too. I have tried to write some songs that might be more universally appealing, but... it doesn't feel genuine to me. It's not authentic. It's me doing what I criticize Joe Bonamassa for.
So far, my biggest reach with one of my own songs and guerrilla marketing is a few thousand streams on Spotify, which means my music might pay for a couple new guitar picks this year.