Blues History: 90 Years Later, Recording Returns to Room 414

Robert Johnson checked into the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio in November 1936 and recorded material in room 414 that would go on to influence Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. Exactly 90 years later, the hotel is staging a three-day tribute to that session, running from November 12 to 14, 2026.

The central figure in the upcoming events is Steven Johnson, the grandson of the Mississippi guitarist. He plans to return to room 414 to track new music and will also utilize the hotel's Gunter Studio. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation is scheduled to release the resulting album. This new recording will be the first made in the same physical space as the 1936 session.

The weekend culminates in a Saturday showcase in the Crystal Ballroom. Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, who recently won his first Grammy for Preacher Kids, will headline the event. He will perform alongside 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 program. Tickets for the showcase start at $59.

Programming extends beyond the main stage to include specific time slots throughout the hotel. On Thursday, November 12, producer Michael Ramos will lead 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., followed by the Aaron Stephens Trio at Bar 414 from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Friday, November 13, features a moderated conversation with the Robert Johnson Family, led 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 follow at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Gunter Hotel reopened in 2025 following a $70 million renovation. The property has integrated music into its current operations by opening its recording studio to emerging artists and maintaining a record lending library in the lobby. A music council, which includes Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and Will and Noel Bridges of Antone's Nightclub, guides these initiatives. Every guest room contains a turntable and a copy of King of the Delta Blues Singers.

Jiwon Choi, the hotel owner, stated that the Gunter is honored to bring talented people together to celebrate the hotel's history. He noted that the mission is to celebrate those who came before and encourage future generations of artists.

Steven Johnson will begin his recording sessions in room 414 during the first week of November, ahead of the public events.