I can buy into that Colm because it is consistent with what I think happens. Patton cannot help but have been influenced by his ancestry and geography.

And slavery was how\where I understood the blues were formed..the chants of slaves as they moved through the fields..must have also influenced him as it was also part of the milieu.

Also, FYI, I was not so much disagreeing with you as laying a practical foundation for your argument...from there you can get as specific as your research takes you.

So all the best with it.

If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop