In a nutshell, sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.

I'm a fan, not a player.

To some extent, similar to LEJ and alanabit - but I grew up listening to my Mom's R&B albums, and was turned on to some of the classic female blues singers by Mom and by a friend in high school - Ida Cox, Ethel Waters, Blu Lu Barker, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and others. Loved Motown growing up & found myself backtracking from there.   Bobby Bland and Muddy Waters I was introduced to early. Ray Charles. Fats Waller. Jugband music. Country Blues. Was late hearing Delta Blues and Piedmont blues. Seems I've always been drawn to spirituals. Of the British bluesmen, no one has yet mentioned Long John Baldry.

Seems to me, any kind of music I am strongly drawn to, if I track it back, or follow it foreward, gonna run into the Blues.