Steven Johnson to Record in Room 414 for 90th Anniversary of Grandfather's Session

Robert Johnson's grandson will record a new album in room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio this November. The three-day event runs from November 12 to 14 and marks the 90th anniversary of Johnson's 1936 recording session. Johnson, a 25-year-old Mississippi guitarist, checked into the hotel in November 1936 to track material that later influenced Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

Steven Johnson plans to use both the hotel room and the Gunter Studio to cut the upcoming album. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation will release the final project. The recording work sets the stage for a Saturday showcase in the Crystal Ballroom. Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, who recently won his first Grammy for Preacher Kids, will perform. He will be joined by Texas blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable and the Steve L. Johnson Band.

Marco Cervantes, a University of Texas at San Antonio professor who performs as Mexstep, will emcee the Saturday event. Tickets for the ballroom showcase start at $59. The programming extends across the entire hotel over the weekend. On Thursday, November 12, producer Michael Ramos will lead tours of the Gunter Studio from 5 to 7 p.m. A Robert Johnson Revue featuring Nicky Diamonds will play the Studio Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by the Aaron Stephens Trio at Bar 414 from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Friday, November 13, includes a conversation with the Robert Johnson Family moderated by Hector Saldaña in the Gunter Studio Lounge from 6 to 7 p.m. Tomar & The FCs and Jordan Matthew Young will perform in the Crystal Ballroom from 8 to 10 p.m. Nick Brown & The Blues Cruise will take the stage at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Saturday, November 14, the main ballroom showcase runs from 7 to 10:15 p.m. The Eve Monsees Trio will close out the weekend at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Gunter reopened in 2025 after a $70 million renovation. The hotel has integrated its musical history into its operations by opening its recording studio to emerging artists. A record lending library is available in the lobby. A music council currently includes Adrian Quesada, co-founder 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 King of the Delta Blues Singers.

Hotel owner Jiwon Choi stated in a release that the Gunter is honored to bring talented people together to celebrate the hotel's history. Choi added that the goal is to honor those who came before and encourage future generations of artists who may stay at the hotel.