San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel is leaning further into its spot at the blues crossroads.
The historic downtown hotel where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson recorded some of his best-known songs in 1936 is launching an inaugural birthday celebration for the late singer and guitarist.
To celebrate what would have been the musical icon’s 115th birthday on Friday, May 8, the Gunter will host a full weekend of programming, including a concert featuring Austin-based blues guitar ace Sue Foley, Austin blues-and-soul outfit The Peterson Brothers and San Antonio blues-rocker Nicky Diamonds.
A panel of speakers also will delve into Johnson’s lasting musical legacy, and blues performers will take the stage in the hotel’s Bar 414 all weekend. A birthday party for the artist will feature cake, spins of his recordings and an original work from San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson.
Johnson recorded 16 songs in the Gunter’s Room 414. It was one of just two sessions he cut before dying at age 27 — reportedly poisoned by a jealous husband. Several songs the itinerant bluesman recorded during the San Antonio session — among them “Cross Road Blues,” “Sweet Home Chicago” and “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” — are now among the genre’s most-performed standards.
The Gunter, which opened in 1909, has periodically recognized the significance of Johnson’s session, installing a historical plaque dedicated by the San Antonio Blues Society in 2001 and christening its speakeasy-style lounge Bar 414.
The hotel’s latest owners, who helmed a recent $57 million renovation of the property, have placed even more emphasis on its musical history.
In addition to launching the annual bash for Johnson, the group added a state-of-the-art recording studio and a 900-album vinyl library as part of their upgrade to the property. What’s more, Bar 414’s live music series is focused on Texas roots music in a variety of styles.
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