I've known singers who were very much upper class (Loudon Wainwright III comes to mind), many middle class (certainly Bob Dylan and Tom Waits fit), along with the Jesse Fullers and Leadbellys of the world. Point is, many songs would never be known by a larger audience if not for the performers who make them popular, wherever they come from.

That's one thing. The other is the creating of a "persona" and trying to seem what you are not. That was one of my early objections to Dylan. Waits, at least, lived on the streets for a time to experience that life. No one really likes a phony. Just sing as best you can and don't worry about sounding like someone or something else. You'll learn soon enough whether anyone wants you to continue.