Steven Johnson to Record in Room 414 During Gunter Hotel Anniversary

Robert Johnson recorded seminal blues tracks in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio during a three-day session in November 1936. The hotel will mark the 90th anniversary of those recordings with a celebration running from November 12 to 14. Steven Johnson, the late guitarist’s grandson, will return to the specific room where his grandfather worked. He intends to use the space and the hotel’s Gunter Studio to record an upcoming album. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation plans to release the new material.

The weekend programming extends beyond the recording sessions to include live performances across multiple venues within the property. On Saturday, November 14, the Crystal Ballroom will host a showcase featuring pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph. Randolph recently received his first Grammy award for his work with Preacher Kids. He will perform alongside 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 under the name Mexstep, will emcee the event. Tickets for the showcase start at $59.

Events will begin on Thursday, November 12, with producer and musician Michael Ramos leading tours of the Gunter Studio from 5 to 7 p.m. The Robert Johnson Revue featuring Nicky Diamonds will perform in the Studio Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m. Following that, the Aaron Stephens Trio will play at Bar 414 from 9 p.m. until 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., while Nick Brown & The Blues Cruise will take the stage at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Gunter Hotel reopened in 2025 following a $70 million renovation. Since reopening, the property has integrated its musical history into its operations. It has made its recording studio available to emerging artists and maintains a record lending library in the lobby. The hotel also established a music council to guide its programming. The council includes Adrian Quesada, co-founder of Black Pumas; Will and Noel Bridges of Antone’s Nightclub; and Garrett T. Capps. Every guest room now contains a turntable and a copy of the album King of the Delta Blues Singers.

Jiwon Choi, the hotel owner, stated that the Gunter is honored to bring together talented individuals to celebrate the property's history and Johnson's legacy. Choi expressed the mission to honor predecessors and encourage future generations of artists who may pass through the hotel's doors. The 1936 session by Johnson is credited with influencing artists such as Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.