Robert Randolph to Headline 1936 Blues Tribute

The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio hosts a three-day event from November 12 to 14 to mark the 90th anniversary of a 1936 recording session. The weekend centers on the legacy of Robert Johnson, a Mississippi guitarist who stayed at the hotel during his original session.

Steven Johnson, the late musician's grandson, will record in room 414, the exact location of the 1936 session. He will also use the hotel's Gunter Studio to cut tracks for an upcoming album. The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation plans to release that record. The 1936 session influenced later acts such as Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

A Saturday showcase in the Crystal Ballroom serves as the main concert of the weekend. Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, who recently won his first Grammy for the album Preacher Kids, will perform. Texas blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable and the Steve L. Johnson Band also appear. Marco Cervantes, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio who performs as Mexstep, will emcee the event. Tickets begin at $59.

Programming fills the hotel throughout the weekend. On Thursday, November 12, producer Michael Ramos leads tours of the Gunter Studio from 5 to 7 p.m. The Robert Johnson Revue, featuring Nicky Diamonds, plays in the Studio Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m. The Aaron Stephens Trio performs 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 play in the Crystal Ballroom from 8 to 10 p.m. Nick Brown & The Blues Cruise follow at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Saturday concert in the ballroom runs from 7 to 10:15 p.m. The Eve Monsees Trio performs at Bar 414 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Gunter reopened in 2025 after a $70 million renovation. The hotel now features a music council that includes Adrian Quesada, Will Bridges, Noel Bridges, 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 its history and Robert Johnson's legacy. Choi added that the goal is to celebrate those who came before and encourage future generations of artists who may visit the hotel.