The San Antonio Blues Society presents
Since 2001 "The Original"
ROBERT JOHNSON S.A. SESSIONS
Starring HAMILTON LOOMIS with SPIT CUP AND THE JUKES
ABOUT THE SHOW
Since 2001, this annual SABS November event pays tribute to one of the founding fathers of blues music and one of the major musical influencers of the modern ages. We celebrate Robert Johnson and the music he recorded here in San Antonio back in 1936 at the historical Gunter Hotel. These recording sessions gave the world Sweet Home Chicago, Cross Road Blues, Ramblin’ on My Mind, and thirteen others monumental classics. Young soon-to-be rock and blues giants embraced this music and infused it in their playing, guaranteeing its immortality. In 1980, Robert Johnson was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. In 1986, he was one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Robert Johnson came to San Antonio to be recorded for Don Law at The Gunter Hotel in late November 1936. Don Law was a producer for the American Record Corporation (ARC), the predecessor to Columbia Records. Recordings took place over three days; November 23, 26, and 27. Two rooms were used; rooms 413 and 414. Robert was in one of the rooms with the microphone running over to the next room where Don Law's team was with the recording equipment. The Gunther Hotel has retired Room 414 and designated it as the Robert Johnson room. Through the efforts of the San Antonio Blues Society and endorsed by the Robert Johnson Blues Society, the Robert Johnson Historical Marker was created and placed in The Gunter Hotel. The sixteen songs recorded by Robert Johnson at the Gunter Hotel, November 1936: Kind Hearted Woman Blues • (I Believe I'll) Dust My Broom • Sweet Home Chicago • Ramblin' on My Mind • When You Got a Good Friend • Come on in My Kitchen • Terraplane Blues • Phonograph Blues • 32-20 Blues • They're Red Hot • Dead Shrimp Blues • Cross Road Blues • Walking Blues • Last Fair Deal Gone Down • Preaching Blues • If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
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Get your tickets today for The Original Robert Johnson S.A. Sessions Starring HAMILTON LOOMIS with SPIT CUP AND THE JUKES
Doors at 6:00pm Show at 7:00pm
All-In Pricing TICKETS: Advance GA $32.20 / Day Of Show GA $38.17 / Reserved Booths $95.31 (admission not included) / Table Upgrades $49.60 (admission not included)
Ticket prices include all fees except taxes
MOSTLY SEATED SHOW - Seating NOT GUARANTEED. Any Seating Available is on a First Come, First Served Basis. NO REFUNDS all sales final.
PURCHASE OF BOOTH DOES NOT INCLUDE ADMITTANCE TO SHOW - ONLY RESERVES THE BOOTH (Booths can seat up to 4 people some may hold more. HOWEVER the number people in the booth is NOT guaranteed.) You and your party will all still need a General Admission ticket to get in to the show.
PURCHASE OF TABLE UPGRADE DOES NOT INCLUDE ADMITTANCE TO SHOW - ONLY RESERVES A TABLE (Tables can seat up to 4 people) You and your party will all still need a General Admission ticket to get in to the show.
Reserved Booths and Table Upgrades – Please note that at times, views may be partially obstructed by guests standing on the floor between the booths/tables and the stage.
Ages 18 and up - All Minors Will Be Charged an Additional $14.28 At the Door. 17 & Under Admitted with Parent or Guardian Only.
Tickets for The Original Robert Johnson S.A. Sessions Starring HAMILTON LOOMIS with SPIT CUP AND THE JUKES go fast so get yours today!
Hamilton Loomis -
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"That’s another thing that planted the GIVE IT BACK seed in my mind. It’s all coming full circle.” Taken from his bio page, this quote explains Hamilton's ambition: doing for others as was done for him. A few icons in blues music took an active interest in Hamilton's musical evolution, namely, Bo Diddley, Clarence "Gatesmouth" Brown, Albert Collins, Joe "Guitar" Hughes, and Johnny Copeland. These artists gave of their time and their craft. Hamilton seeks to pay it forward by advising local young artists and giving them chances to perform, even on his recordings and his live performances. He understands how important an effect a parent or mentor can provide a young person interested in music. As is so often with the artists we see perform, it was his parents that opened the musical world to him. His childhood Galveston home was loaded with many instruments, so it follows that Hamilton became proficient on guitar, drums, piano, and harmonica. His music was the blend of blues, R&B, and funk. Then came the big break: when he was sixteen he met Bo Diddley at Houston's prized venue, Rockerfeller's. That same night, Hamilton Loomis jammed with Bo Diddley on stage. Later on, Bo performed on two of Hamilton's albums. Bo's being a mentor and supporter meant so much, but it was their friendship that Hamilton holds in highest regard. The Loomis' named their son Bo as a tribute. As he was helped musically, Hamilton made it his mission to "give it back", to pay it forward. Nearing ten albums released since 1994, Hamilton and crew continue to record, play their favorite local clubs, and maintain a busy touring schedule. It is almost as if they cannot be away from an audience for too long. "I enjoy engaging the crowd and feel a show should be an interactive experience.” Close to home, Hamilton dedicates himself to his son Bo, who suffers from a serious disease. His music includes songs in support of patients and their families, all those affected by the disease. "To transform a family's struggle into a message of hope, faith, and healing."
Spit Cup and The Jukes -
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For Ryan "Spit Cup" Washington, the profound and personal impact of music came before he was even five years old. It was the blues his grandfather listened to for most of the day. His memories are of his "papaw's" (grandpa's) Chevrolet dually out in the country with kin and friends all gathered around. Hanging, sipping, chawing, and listening to the blues coming out of the Chevy's door speakers. Ryan's grandparents were rooted in Texas country, raising farm animals and crops, and hosting their young grandson on the weekends. At home in San Antonio, Ryan was immersed in the R&B and soul music that his parents listened to. From a young child to a young adult he had been saturated with music. Now he was ready to make his music, and it had to be blues. Learn to play the classics and play them correctly. Then, make your own. His dream: "Sit around a back porch and play a little Lightnin' Hopkins." As so often happens, going out and making it in the world puts a lot of dreams and aspirations on hold while the bills get paid and food is put on the table. Ryan had moved to Adkins, building a successful business and dedicating his life to his family. Then came a business quid pro quo and it was Ryan's golden opportunity to awaken a dream. A customer paid off his debt with private guitar lessons. About a year later he was on his way to the 2023 Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There he met Robert Kimbrough, Duwayne and Cedric Burnside, and other blues royalty from the hill country of Mississippi. At that festival he found the final piece of the puzzle: Ryan heard the Cotton Patch Soul Blues of Junior Kimbrough. Ryan grew to consider Robert Kimbrough a personal friend and mentor, taking lessons right in Robert's living room. He had found his niche of the blues that fulfilled him and he pursued it with intensity. Back home in San Antonio Ryan was getting a collection together that was dedicated to the music he loved. With the jams happening in the area, Ryan soon hooked up with some serious blues players. They played locally and soon were annual performers at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, the Jesse Mae Hemphill Festival also in Clarksdale, the King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas, Kimbrough's Cotton Patch Soul Blues Festival in Chulahoma, Mississippi, and the Windy City Blues Festival in Chicago. The band features Ryan "Spit Cup" Washington on vocals and guitar, Adam "Korpus Kid" Palacios on harmonica, Rob "Big Rob" Molina on bass, and Jahleel "J Boogie" Rice on drums. Ryan's grandson Jordan "Slim Pickin" is on lead guitar. Ryan explains how each member of the band feels: "Man I’m just having fun keeping the blues alive. And more importantly keeping Cotton Patch Soul Blues alive. And educating the world of this sub genre blues that’s so soulful and Hypnotic. #CPSB. And for the record, we as a band really live and breath this." Experience a night with this band and you will agree. The San Antonio Blues Society is proud to have Spit Cup and The Jukes as Member Artists.
San Antonio Blues Society -
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The San Antonio Blues Society, Inc. is a Texas not-for-profit 501(c) corporation, founded in October 1990. The Society was established for the purpose of promoting and preserving blues music. It is our mission to ensure the continuation of blues music by offering educational programs within our community, and to preserve locations and artifacts relevant to the history of blues music and its artists. We support blues venues and blues artists through our promotional efforts and participation in blues-related activities and events. As well as hosting jam sessions where local and visiting artists can sit in and play, SABS also produces / co-produces shows showcasing local and international blues artists. We are always striving to encourage our community to appreciate the historical value and the enjoyment of blues music. Sam Baird Scholarship: This scholarship continues the legacy of noted musician and SABS member Sam Baird, who supported and nurtured the growth of the San Antonio music community for many years. Announced in 2006, this local scholarship fund is awarded to students displaying academic strength and musical ambition. This award is presented annually at the Robert Johnson S.A. Sessions event and is a very special event involving family, friends, and a very appreciative audience. SABS works in conjunction with Art and Music Directors to announce and promote this opportunity to eligible local students. This is an ongoing endeavor that we put our full effort into working with schools, parents, corporate sponsors, and community leaders to get as many students involved as possible. Blues in the Schools: Preserving the heritage of blues music in our region is not our only task. We also bring the music to the community via the local school systems. Actual performances at the local schools give our young people the chance to hear the music that is the foundation of what they listen to today. Since 2004 we have performed before student bodies, presenting the music that is part of our national heritage. We always seek student participation and at these performances we were able to bring up students to jam with the band. While the majority of our BITS presentations are at high schools, we also include elementary schools. You are never to young for The Blues!
