Robert Brown (July 15, 1910 – November 6, 1966),known professionally as Washboard Sam, was an American blues singer and musician.Born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, United States, and reputedly the half-brother of Big Bill Broonzy,Brown moved to Memphis, Tennessee in the 1920s, performing as a street musician with Sleepy John Estes and Hammie Nixon.He then moved to Chicago in 1932, performing regularly with Broonzy, and appearing with him and other musicians including Memphis Slim and Tampa Red on innumerable recording sessions for Lester Melrose of Bluebird Records