Gunter Hotel Hosts Robert Johnson Grandson

Steven Johnson will stand in the exact spot where his grandfather recorded in 1936. He will use Room 414 at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio to record a new album. The hotel announced the three-day event on October 23, 2026, to mark the 90th anniversary of Robert Johnson’s visit. Johnson was 25 when he entered the hotel in November 1936. He recorded material that influenced Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

The grandson plans to record in the original room and the hotel's Gunter Studio. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation will release the resulting album. This work serves as the centerpiece for the weekend celebration. It connects a modern artist to the specific location where a foundational blues record was created.

Performers will join Johnson for a showcase in the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, November 14. Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph will perform. He recently won a Grammy for his work with Preacher Kids. Texas blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable and the Steve L. Johnson Band will also appear on stage. Marco Cervantes, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, will emcee the event. Tickets for the showcase start at $59.

The hotel has scheduled events across its spaces for the entire 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 in the Studio Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m. The Aaron Stephens Trio will perform at Bar 414 from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Friday, November 13, includes a moderated conversation with the Robert Johnson Family at 6 p.m. in the Gunter Studio Lounge. Hector Saldaña will moderate the discussion. 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 play at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday concludes with the Eve Monsees Trio at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Gunter reopened in 2025 following a $70 million renovation. Management has focused on the building's musical history since the opening. The hotel opened its recording studio to emerging artists and installed a record lending library in the lobby. A music council now advises the hotel. Members include Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and the Bridges brothers of Antone's Nightclub. Every guest room contains a turntable and a copy of King of the Delta Blues Singers.

Jiwon Choi, the hotel owner, stated the event celebrates the hotel's history and Johnson's legacy. He said the mission is to honor previous artists and encourage future generations who use the space.