Grandson returns to 1936 hotel room to record new blues album

In November 1936, a 25-year-old guitarist from Mississippi checked into the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio and recorded material that would influence decades of popular music. Ninety years later, the hotel will host a three-day celebration from November 12 to 14 to mark the anniversary of that session.

The central event involves Steven Johnson, the grandson of Robert Johnson, who will record new material in the exact room where his grandfather worked. Johnson plans to use both the hotel's Gunter Studio and Room 414 to cut tracks for an upcoming album released by the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation. This recording process will precede a major concert in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom.

Saturday, November 14, features a headline showcase from 7 to 10:15 p.m. that includes pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, who recently won a Grammy for his album Preacher Kids. He will perform with Texas blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable and the Steve L. Johnson Band. Marco Cervantes, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio who performs as Mexstep, will serve as the emcee for the evening. Tickets for the event start at $59.

Programming begins on Thursday with a series of studio tours and live performances. Producer Michael Ramos will guide guests through the Gunter Studio from 5 to 7 p.m. The Robert Johnson Revue featuring Nicky Diamonds will play in the Studio Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m., while the Aaron Stephens Trio performs in Bar 414 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Friday includes a moderated conversation with the Robert Johnson Family led by Hector Saldaña in the Gunter Studio Lounge from 6 to 7 p.m.

The Gunter Hotel reopened in 2025 following a $70 million renovation that emphasized its musical history. The property now operates a recording studio for emerging artists and maintains a record lending library in the lobby. A newly formed music council includes Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas, Will and Noel Bridges of Antone's Nightclub, and Garrett T. Capps. Every guest room contains a turntable and a copy of the album King of the Delta Blues Singers.

Jiwon Choi, the hotel owner, stated in a release that the property is honored to bring talented people together to celebrate its history and Robert Johnson's legacy. Choi noted that the hotel aims to honor past artists and encourage future generations who may visit the location.