Although not US of American proper, one might look at Roger Abrahams book Deep the Water Shallow the Shore. Or contact Dan Lanier at barrwhalers.org about the Barrouallie Whalers of the Grenadines and St. Vincent. This is a group of black people who still do limited subsistance whaling in the Islands and sing Whaling songs. With one listen it is obvious these guys are singing songs they heard from New England whalers 150 years ago or so. But I'v never heard a white guy sing like this. I'm not sure that fits in with what your looking for, however it's an idea.