Sam "Lightnin’" Hopkins (March 15 1912 — January 30 1982 ) was a country blues guitarist, from Houston, Texas.

Sam Hopkins was born on March 15, 1912 in Centerville, Texas. In 1920, Hopkins met and — at age 8 — played with the legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson. For a short time, he later became Jefferson’s guide. Hopkins’ cousin, the great Texas bluesman Texas Alexander, was another influence as Hopkins played with Alexander. That partnership was broken up by Hopkins’ time in Houston’s County Prison Farm during the 30s. When Hopkins made his way to Houston’s Third Ward in 1946, he was introdu