Hotel Hosts 90th Anniversary of 1936 Blues Session

Ninety years have passed since a 25-year-old Mississippi guitarist checked into the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. That November 1936 stay produced recordings that influenced Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. The hotel is marking the anniversary with a three-day event scheduled for November 12 to 14.

Steven Johnson, the grandson of the original artist, will return to the specific location of the historical session. He plans to record in Room 414, the same space where his grandfather worked. He will also use the on-site Gunter Studio to complete tracks for an upcoming album. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation will release the final product.

The weekend schedule includes a main showcase in the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday. Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph will perform there. He recently won a Grammy for his work with Preacher Kids. He will share the stage 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, will emcee the event under his stage name, Mexstep. Tickets for the showcase start at $59.

Activities will spread across the hotel during the three days. On Thursday, November 12, producer Michael Ramos will lead tours of the Gunter Studio from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A performance by the Robert Johnson Revue featuring Nicky Diamonds will follow in the Studio Lounge from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Aaron Stephens Trio will play at Bar 414 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.

Friday, November 13, opens with a moderated conversation featuring the Robert Johnson Family. Hector Saldaña will moderate the discussion in the Gunter Studio Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tomar & The FCs and Jordan Matthew Young will perform in the Crystal Ballroom from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Nick Brown & The Blues Cruise will take the stage at Bar 414 from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

The Saturday lineup concludes with the Eve Monsees Trio performing at Bar 414 from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. This follows the main ballroom showcase, which runs from 7:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

The Gunter reopened in 2025 after a $70 million renovation. It now includes a record lending library in the lobby and a music council. Members of that council include 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 King of the Delta Blues Singers. Owner Jiwon Choi stated in a release that the hotel is honored to celebrate its history and the legacy of Robert Johnson.