I don't think he has carried any "blue collar" fans with him since the 1970's. He has a lot of limousine liberal fans who describe the preachy multimillionaire singer gouging fans with extreme ticket prices as an "everyman" entertainer.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. I was blue collar until I went back to college. Everyone in my family has been blue collar, so I know "the culture" pretty well. He's always struck me as a big phony. Never could stand watching his videos.