You gotta start somewhere. Listening, absorbing, analyzing, transcribing, memorizing the BEST examples you can find are a good beginning. That's seems to be what the ODBG did.
Within your personal evolution as an artist, there are many phases. You are free to stop at any level you choose - for example, do you wish to do those revival shows - Blues Brothers, Paul Butterfield, etc, recreating their magic? Many do excellent jobs, working at Theme Parks or Road Tours all over the world for appreciative audiences. I know that Rob P. kills with his ability to work this circuit and is probably the FIRST CALL for many of these gigs. Also, producers pay big $$ for those that fit their preconceived notion of these styles of playing. As a Pro, its great to make good money with your skills.
Some wish to evolve into an original sound - Popper, for example. I "assume" that even he began by recreating what went before. Having the audience know who the artist is after hearing only 30 seconds of their music is not too shabby. Rick Estrin is one that comes to mind. While he does a great Sonny Boy II style, his tone is uniquely his own - a nice example of the best of both worlds.
Only the "Wild Boy", discovered in the woods, raised by a pack of Wolves, with a rusty old harmonica for companionship, and brought back to civilization by a kindly Doctor might have developed an approach not based on what came before.
The Iceman _______________________________________________ Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l