From my experience, I would say that my American friends - and I have many - are more laid back about the wealth of traditional and not-so-traditional music in their country, and less concerned about the dividing lines between them than we are over here (at least, judging by this forum).

If I listen to Doc Watson singing "I Was Born About 6,000 Years Ago", and then hear him playing "Doc's Guitar", I feel as though it's timeless and borderless music. I don't give a hoot where it came from - it's just great music and great fun. Country music - blues, ragtime - jazz - string bands - jug bands - all American, all part of the accepted melting pot.

Just my luck - now there'll be 100 UK 'Catters jumping on my head... :-)