I'm always stunned by the degree of separation we now require in our music. I suspect it's due to the influence of commercial radio in the last couple of decades that this need for a separation in what people listen to has come about. I can't imagine that the difference between blues and bluegrass or old-time was much of an issue for the early pioneers of these forms.

Look at Mississippi John Hurt, as a for instance. He freely moved between several musical genres for his sources and applied his own distinctive style to them. The same can be said for Jimmie Rodgers, and to a certain extent, even Hank Williams. Dock Boggs is on the record as stating that he was very influenced in his playing by black musicians he came into contact with in his early years.

I, myself, for what it's worth, tend to think of blues as the collision of African rhythms and instrumental techniques with the English and Western European melodies and languages which were forced on slaves upon their entry into the US. Then things grew and twined and intermingled over the next several hundred years and now we have the rich musical stew available to us today.

Steven (ghost): As far as a connection between Blues and Bluegrass, I'd suggest you investigate the Gospel tradition that both Blues and Bluegrass seem to have deep roots in. It might be an interesting avenue to wander down.