I'm always intrigued by the connectness of things, and the connectedness ( or matrix) between nature and nurture. Nurture includes culture.   

In the FWIW department, I have recently stumbled upon the science of biomusicology. It seems reasonable to me to understand the roots of all human experience of music (both production and effect), to be biologically enabled and culturally influenced.

If I understand you correctly, Michael, your position is that there are numerous cultural influences that can be found in American music, but that it is incorrect to ascribe the roots of American music as belonging to any particular culture or ethnic group, i.e. that it is apparent that there are Afrocentric and Eurocentric influences in American music, including gospel music, but it would be incorrect to say that either holds a claim to be being "the root" of American music forms.

Do I understand you correctly?