I think you should explore other influences as much as you can. You may start off imitating another artist, but over time your own singing range and instrumental ability will influence how you interpret a song or tune, and it will take on your own individual style, often without you being aware of it.

My partner and I sing a song written by a friend, that we learned from his singing on an album he was part of. We finally had a chance to sing it for him after we had been singing it for about 3 years, and he was pleasantly surprised and full of praise at how we had interpreted it. We weren't aware that we had substantially changet the delivery, although the words and the tune were the same.

SO, Michael, I'd say listen to everything you can in the genre you choose, and other things as well... Davey :-)