Newman Taylor Baker, a.k.a. Washboard XT, is a master washboard player. Baker came across the washboard in 2009, which sparked him to learn about his grandfather. Newman's grandfather was born a slave in 1860. After the Civil War ended, Baker's grandfather, Thomas Nelson Baker, became the first African American in U.S. history to earn a PhD. in philosophy. He now continues to play the washboard in his grandfather's honor.