well it depends what you want to do......

an in depth study of the rev gary davis won't help you to become Doyle Dykes.

on the other hand -check out Scott Ainslie masterly analysis of Robert Johnson' technique. you will become wise to the rhythmic complexity of the pieces.

the blind alleys are in ourselves. its up to us to get out of them, whatever discipline we are immersed in. johnson is a good case in point. he was immersed in a tradition, but he saw that as the basis of a creative opportunity.

my dad (who knew everything) always reckoned segovia could piss rings round hank marvin. and andres could do what the shads did - if only he wanted to.
however old age and wisdom has made me realise that dad was possibly wrong on this subject at least, you get good at doing what what you do by practicing. and there ain't time enough in one lifetime to mess about with two things as a musician.