robert johnson s.a. sessions 2026  

 

San Antonio Blues Society's Robert Johnson S.A. Sessions celebrates the Robert Johnson recording sessions in San Antonio back in November 1936 at the historic Gunter Hotel. Every November we produce this event that brought "Sweet Home Chicago", "Cross Road Blues", "Ramblin' on My Mind", and thirteen other masterpieces. Just about thirty years later the British Invasion came over, bringing their versions of the Johnson classics. The rawness and honesty of blues music hits home for so many music lovers. Robert Johnson's music, along with a long line of blues players, is ingrained in nearly all the music we heard in our younger years, and now the younger ones are hearing it in their music. Robert Johnson has been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

[  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICEKTS AND BOOTHS  ]

STAY TUNED ... MORE INFORMATION TO COME!
BUT GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

REDEEMING YOU PRE-SALE TICKET

For those who purchased presale ticket vouchers, as the one above, These vouchers can be redeemed through Sam's Online Box Office. Simply visit www.SamsBurgerJoint.com and find the Robert Johnson SA Sessions on the calenda. Click the RED DOT to select the GENERAL ADMISSION sections. Choose 1 GENERAL ADMISSION ticket, and enter the PROMO CODE printed on your voucher (in the above case, the promo code would be "ABC"). Then click ADD TO CART and complete the checkout process to receive your ticket. PLEASE NOTE: Vouchers, as the one above, will not be accepted at the door. You must redeem them for an office ticket through Sam's Online Box Office. If you have any questions, please email us at info@sanantoniobluessociety.com.

about the artists

  WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   X


FACEBOOK

This fundraiser is coproduced by SABS and First Lockhart Bank and is hosted by SABS Lifetime Sponsor/Venue The Gruene Grove. The festival is free to the public and is presented to fund the 2026-2027 SABS Sam Baird Scholarship.

The Sam Baird Scholarship continues the legacy of noted San Antonio musician Sam Baird, who supported and nurtured the growth of the area music community for many years. This ongoing endeavor, first announced in 2006, was established to help local students pursue their musical aspirations. We work with schools, parents, sponsors, corporate members, and community leaders to get as many students involved as possible.

This all-day festival will have everything needed for a memorable Saturday: plenty of food and drink and a full roster of great local blues artists. There will be plenty of ways to help with funding the Scholarship: raffles, silent auctions, merchandise, and direct donations.

MUSIC LINE UP:

A. Wright
Hoodoo Daddies
John Elijah Band
Marcus Tharpe & The Southsiders
Ru Coleman & The Big Hurt
Smokehouse Guitar Army
Spit Cup & The Jukes
Stray Dawg he Wolves

Just get there ... we'll take care of the rest!

THE GRUENE GROVE
1263 Gruene Rd
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 765-0300
www.GrueneGrove.com



Another fun show with J.J. over at KRTU 91.7fm! Chris Rue from The Gruene
Grove and Stray Dawg of Stray Dawg and The Wolves joined SABS' Scott Mayo at
the station. We thank J.J. Lopez, Station GM, and all the staff at KRTU 91.7 / Trinity University for their continuing support of SABS' Missions in the Community. 

    [  CLICK HERE REPLAY THE BROADCAST  ]

HE MADE HISTORY RIGHT HERE  Robert Johnson is enshrined in the upper royalty of Delta Blues. His music, his words live in the music heard today. Being reinvented generation to generation. Sixteen of the greatest tracks he created were recorded here in San Antonio. 1936 at The Gunter Hotel. The original tracks. This year The Gunter Hotel is celebrating Robert Johnson's Birthday May 8. The Gunter has transformed into a musically enthusiastic downtown venue. By design. Much more that a fine hotel. They have a wonderful program planned with music, discussion. The concert is the centerpiece to the event. If you really want to learn something of musical impact, attend the discussions. We are proud to announce that The Gunter Hotel is now a Lifetime Member Sponsor/Venue of the San Antonio Blues Society.

Saturday  May 2 1:00pm Event discussion on KRTU 91.7fm
Gibby Diaz, Vinyl Ambassador at The Gunter Hotel, will visit with J.J. Lopez and talk about the Celebration.

Thursday May 7 9:00pm Jacob Kyle solo blues in Bar 414

Friday May 8  MULTIPLE EVENTS

4pm-5pm  Panel Discussion Robert Johnson and his Legacy Moderated by Bria Woods, this thoughtfully curated panel brings together acclaimed musicians, the Peterson Brothers and Nicky Diamonds, as well as two time Grammy Nominated musician/historian Colin Hancock for a candid discussion on the evolution of blues, its deep roots in Texas, and its relevance in today’s music landscape.
RSVP REQUIRED / FREE EVENT

5pm-6pm  Vinyl listening, live poetry and birthday cake cutting in the hotel lobby and Keystone Club  Join us in the lobby and Keystone Bar for a special Robert Johnson Birthday Celebration — an open, come-as-you-are gathering honoring the legacy of the blues legend in the very place where his sound lives on. The evening will feature a curated vinyl set of Robert Johnson and classic blues by our Vinyl Ambassadors, Gibby Diaz & Nicholas Sabala setting the tone as guests gather over signature Robert Johnson-inspired cocktails, along with complimentary birthday cake and coffee served while supplies last. The program continues with a live original poem by Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, written specifically for this occasion, followed by a crowd-led rendition of “Happy Birthday” in honor of Johnson’s legacy.
RSVP REQUIRED / FREE EVENT

7:30pm-10:30pm  Immersive evening concert featuring Sue Foley, The Peterson Brothers, and Nicky Diamonds in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom  An unforgettable night of live music in one of San Antonio’s most iconic venues. The Gunter Studio Launch Concert brings together an exceptional lineup of artists to celebrate the next chapter in the hotel’s musical legacy. Featuring performances by SABS Lifetime Member Artists The Peterson Brothers, Nicky Diamonds, and Sue Foley, this special evening honors the deep roots of blues while showcasing the artists carrying its spirit forward today. Set within the historic Crystal Ballroom, the concert offers a dynamic experience with a mix of seated and standing options. From soulful guitar riffs to electrifying performances, this is a moment where past and present collide—only at the Gunter.
PURCHASE TICKETS REQUIRED

9pm-MIDNIGHT  Late-night blues jam session at Bar 414 featuring The Chris Cuevas Project  A perfect nightcap to a wonderful evening. SABS Member Band The Chris Cuevas Project is joined by some great local artists for a fun jam. R21+ ONLY

Saturday May 9 9:00pm Eve Monsees Trio three piece blues in Bar 414

We look forward to seeing you there. A couple of the events are free to the public, but you are asked to RSVP to attend.

 fiesta blues heritage series 2026 
 

RECAP: FIESTA BLUES HERITAGE SERIES 2026
SUNDAY AFTERNOON • MARCH 22 2026

A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN SAN ANTONIO Good weather, good crowd, good music. Stay tuned ... recap is getting finalized. But in the meantime, the photos from the show are uploaded to our gallery and replay the KRTU broadcasts.

What a Show!

[  CLICK HERE FOR VIEW THE EVENT PHOTOS  ]

SABS MEMBER BANDS SHINE ON STAGE  SABS Member Artist Catherine Denise and her band opened the show and was a definite crowd pleaser. It has been too long since Catherine had been on stage at Sam's, but her return was one for the books. Her classic rendition of "Me and My Guitar" was a true tribute to her beloved Freddie King. "I Don't Want No Mand", "Shame Shame Shame", and other hits from her album "Treat Me Like a Lady" had the audience rockin' in their seats. High energy the whole way. We are proud to have Catherine as a Member Artist of the San Antonio Blues Society. Next was Mike Morgan and The Crawl and they kept the music driving. Opening with a funky number aptly titled "Funkafaction", the band was in high gear. They played so many of their great hits from his two-decade-thick stack of albums and anyone who knows of the great Dallas invasion of Texas Blues bands knew what they were going to hear ... and they got it! We are proud to have Mike Morgan in our Hall of Fame as a Lifetime Member Artist of the San Antonio Blues Society. Be sure to catch a rebroadcast of the radio shows featuring Mike and Catherine that we did over at Trinity University's radio station, KRTU 91.7fm.

MANY GOOD PEOPLE PITCHING IN  We are grateful for the donations we received at the Fiesta event. Also we are pleased to say that our merchandise sales were notable. Both donations and merch sales help fill the scholarship fund. The presentation of the scholarships are scheduled for this November. Our Silent Auction brought in close the amount of one scholarship. As is tradition, the raffle was a huge success so all in all, we are off to great start on funding our Scholarship Fund and our Blues in The Schools program. 

SO MANY HELPING HANDS   Way before the show starts and long after we pack up our last box at the end of the show, many people are working in the background scheduling and and calling and all the hundreds of things that go into a major event. Our Directors and VPs had great people to work with and we would like to mention  some special supporters that made this such a memorable event.

  Members, Sponsors, and Friends of the San Antonio Blues Society

  The Texas Commission on the Arts

  Erik Christensen, Sam's Burger Joint 

  Mike Morgan and The Crawl  •  Catherine Denise

  JJ Lopez and the Staff at KRTU 91.7fm / Trinity University

  Alex Velasco (sound reinforcement) and all the Staff at Sam's

  Page's Printing  •  Johnny's Print Shop

                          Thank you everyone for your generosity!

MIKE MORGAN AND THE CRAWL  Mike Morgan walks among the long line of blues rockers from Dallas making it to Texas Blues Royalty. Born in Dallas and growing up in nearby Hillsboro, Mike loved music at an early age. His favorites were Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. It was Stevie Ray Vaughan's first album that drove him to a new level of taking the guitar seriously.

Dallas 1986 was when Mike started his new band named after the Lonnie Brooks classic, "The Crawl." They became known as a top-shelf Texas electric blues band. Four years later they released their first album. Five albums were released throughout the 90's, their work receiving impressive reviews. They constantly performed at sold-out shows. The pace stayed hard-driven with a heavy touring schedule and a hefty amount of well-received serious Texas Blues. To top it off, the band released three more albums.

Coming up on almost twenty years of touring, Mike was ready to take his leave of life on the road and take up a more 9-to-5 work schedule. "A regular day job was almost a vacation." He did, of course, keep up his music, now focusing on the writing part of musical creation. He played the local Dallas scene, then he added limited touring. After getting together with his buddies Anson Funderburgh and Shawn Pittman, new national and international gigs were added to the touring schedule, titled "The Texas Blues Guitar Summit." Mike's last release came In 2022, "The Lights Went Out in Dallas", with The Crawl. Blues Access Magazine wrote "Mike Morgan and The Crawl crank up an irrepressible mix of fresh gritty blues and romping Stax/Volt-era soul."

Mike's music has Mike's soul, drawing inspiration from the Blues greats he admired, learning what it was that made them great. We are proud to have Mike Morgan as a Lifetime Member Artist of The San Antonio Blues Society.

"Texas has a storied tradition of fantastic blues guitarists, and Mike Morgan has steadily grown as one of the keepers of the flame."
Vintage Guitar Magazine

"A great mix of Texas music."
Blues Blast Magazine

"A genuine blues guitar hero."
Guitar World Magazine

"A heaping helping of soul-drenched Texas."
Chicago Blues Guide

Lineup:
Mike Morgan - guitar / vocals
Drew Allain - bass
Kevin Schermerhorn - drums

WEBSITE  FACEBOOK

CATHERINE DENISE  A native San Antonian, Catherine started her musical career at an early age. At age 3 she was singing, age 8 she was playing the piano, and it was age 8 when she wrote her first song. When she was 13 Catherine not only took her songwriting to a higher level, but she also started learning about the science of music, spending time at the recording studio learning what it takes to record her songs. She did make several recordings of her own piano music.

Then came Stevie Ray Vaughan and our teenaged Catherine was going to learn the guitar. She went all in. She listened religiously to other blues greats, especially Freddie King and Magic Sam. It was the guitar licks that she was picking up with enthusiasm when she listened to the greats. She honed her talents by sitting in with many local bands. After a few years she formed her first band, starting as a trio, later adding a keyboard player.

Early on it was classical music on the piano. As a teenager the radio brought her the pop/rock sound. As a young adult it was blues and jazz music that she fell in love with. Catherine was now a professional musician. She toured the country, opening for major acts, including Rick Derringer, Doyle Bramhall Sr., Gary Clark Jr., Omar and The Howlers, and W.C. Clark. She has also shared the stage with such greats as Smokin' Joe Kubek, Texas Johnny Brown, Bugs Henderson, and Little Charlie and The Nightcats. Many highly regarded musicians enjoyed performing with Catherine. Two notable artists from Double Trouble, Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton, recorded with her on her debut CD, "Treat Me Like a Lady."

Early on in her professional career, Catherine was mentioned as one of the up-and-coming young Texas blues artists. They knew what they saw and what they heard. And they were right. We are proud to have Catherine Denise as a Member Artist of The San Antonio Blues Society.

Lineup:
Catherine Denise - guitar / vocals
Cecil Yancey - bass
Roy Grace - drums

WEBSITE  FACEBOOK

robert johnson s.a. sessions 2025  

 

San Antonio Blues Society's Robert Johnson S.A. Sessions celebrates the Robert Johnson recording sessions in San Antonio back in November 1936 at the historic Gunter Hotel. Every November we produce this event that brought "Sweet Home Chicago", "Cross Road Blues", "Ramblin' on My Mind", and thirteen other masterpieces. Just about thirty years later the British Invasion came over, bringing their versions of the Johnson classics. The rawness and honesty of blues music hits home for so many music lovers. Robert Johnson's music, along with a long line of blues players, is ingrained in nearly all the music we heard in our younger years, and now the younger ones are hearing it in their music. Robert Johnson has been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Twice.

A BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN ANTONIO It was literally everything we could hope for. Good weather, good crowd, good music. Now elevate good to GREAT and we would be more correct. Part of the charm of a Friday night show is seeing the line waiting to get into the show. Familiar faces and new faces. Talking with the people in line you could sense an excitement about the show, excitement about the starry Friday night in San Antonio, excitement about the upcoming holiday. The Friday night show plan was working: the positive vibe was being stoked and the show was about to begin.  [ CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE GREAT PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW ] WE START THE EVENING AWARDING THE YOUNG ARTISTS  Since 2008, The Sam Baird Scholarship has been helping area  students continue their musical ambitions after graduation. This year, three students were awarded scholarships based on their written applications and their performance videos. In addition, each awardee received a Membership in the San Antonio Blues Society. The winners are (in alphabetical order): Joshua De Leon - Judson High School, Asaf Cabildo Delgado - Brandeis High School, and Sabrina Packard - Claudia Taylor Johnson High School. The audience appreciated the accomplishments of these young adults and it was wonderful having the students and their families there together. Smiles were everywhere: the show was off to a perfect start. JOSHUA DE LEON is a senior at Judson High School and an accomplished jazz drummer, performing with Jazz Nation, Generations Jazz Orchestra. Outside of school, he continues to refine his craft under the guidance of instructor Mike Gomez, studying advanced jazz techniques and developing his skills in improvisation, music theory, and ensemble performance. Joshua’s dedication to his art has earned him acceptance into a big band jazz program under the direction of Karlos Elizondo at Jazz Nation, Generations Jazz Orchestra, where he continues to grow as a musician and collaborator. His involvement in the music community has taught him discipline, confidence, and the importance of continual improvement. With aspirations of becoming a professional jazz drummer, Joshua hopes to build a career enriched by performance, education, and artistic expression. He plans to continue his music studies in college, pursuing new opportunities to learn, perform, and inspire others through jazz. ASAF CABILDO DELGADO is a senior at Brandeis High School and an accomplished musician with a deep passion for jazz and orchestral performance. As an active member of his school’s orchestra program, Asaf has refined his technique and strengthened his musical literacy, earning multiple All-Region honors throughout his high school career. His dedication and talent also led to the honor of performing at The Midwest Clinic, one of the most prestigious music education conferences in the world. Recently, Asaf was selected to join the Jazz Nation Generations Orchestra, under the direction of Karlos Elizondo, where he continues to expand his experience as a jazz musician. He has attended several jazz summer camps, providing opportunities to collaborate with fellow young musicians and learn from world-class artists. Additionally, he studies under Dr. Utah Hamrick, Professor of Jazz Studies at Texas State University, allowing him to further develop his artistry and understanding of jazz performance. Asaf’s goals include deepening his musical proficiency and performing alongside passionate musicians who share his commitment to preserving the rich history of the arts. He aspires to form his own jazz quintet and record a series of four albums featuring both jazz standards and original compositions. SABRINA PAKARD is a senior at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School and has a deep passion for music and performance. A classically trained pianist for over ten years, she later expanded her artistry into improvisation and songwriting, which she has pursued for the past four years. At school, Sabrina takes AP Music Theory, where she studies melodic dictation, aural skills, and composition, and she is an active member of three high school choirs. She regularly participates in school and community musicals, and has written and released two original albums along with two music videos. Sabrina performs professionally at the JW Marriott Hotel and shares her talents through performances at her church, local charities, and veterans’ events. Looking ahead, Sabrina aspires to tour with a band performing her original songs, continue writing music for herself and other artists, and launch her career in Nashville with the possibility of eventually living in New York. She plans to study Commercial Music in college, building on her dedication, creativity, and lifelong passion for connecting with audiences through her art.   BRING ON THE MUSIC  SABS Member Artists Stray Dawg and The Wolves opened the show and took control right away. A few of us knew about them, but most of the audience was pleasantly impressed by this band they did not know. Stray Dawg played some blues classics, along with selections from the band's recently released CD. They gave us a full energetic 70 minutes and the audience was cheering and applauding to what they just experienced. Then along came Guy. He began with about an hour of authentic, well narrated, well played delta blues in tribute to Robert Johnson. The music was played with such feeling that it was easy to see that Guy is very passionate about delta blues music. He shares it through narrative and performance. Once again the audience showed their appreciation. Enthusiastically. Guy was joined by the rest of his band and the excitement level stayed at 10 as electric blues took over. Tasty solos and jumping jams played by guys at the top of their game, topped off with a crowd-pleasing encore at the end. Both bands gave the audience top-shelf performances. Real blues done real well.  [ CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE GREAT PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW ] GREAT AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION  When we have a very well attended event, as we did last weekend, it makes such a huge difference. More is taken in at the door. The venue increases it food and beverages sales. Nothing drives a band like looking out and a seeing near capacity crowd. With a non-profit organization such as ours we are always looking how to fill our fund coffers, especially our scholarship fund. For many years now, monies made from our merchandise, gift basket raffles, silent auctions, and donations have increased. This is a real boost when we are loading our funds after just awarding them. It gets us off to a running start and this year did not disappoint.  SO MANY HELPING HANDS   Way before the show starts and long after we pack up our last box at the end of the show, many people are working in the background scheduling and and calling and all the hundreds of things that go into a major event. Our Directors and VPs had great people to work with and we would like to mention  some special supporters that made this such a memorable event.   Members, Sponsors, and Friends of the San Antonio Blues Society   The Texas Commission on the Arts   Erik Christensen, Sam's Burger Joint  •  KT Gardner, RootStock Artists (Guy's agent)   The Guy Forsyth Blues Band  •  Stray Dawg and The Wolves   Joshua De Leon  •  Asaf Cabildo Delgado  •  Sabrina Pakard  (scholarship awardees)   JJ Lopez and the Staff at KRTU 91.7fm / Trinity University   Alex Velasco (sound reinforcement) and all the Staff at Sam's   Page's Printing  •  Johnny's Print Shop                                      Thank you everyone for your generosity! [ CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE GREAT PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW ]

We gratefully received the strong support of the
Texas Commission on the Arts

[ VISIT TCA WEBSITE ]

Replay the broadcasts!

KRTU 91.7fm HAD US OVER FOR A VISIT Two great radio shows at KRTU 91.7 over at Trinity University, guests of Program Manager JJ Lopez. Great talk accompanied by some beautiful live acoustic music.

[ REPLAY BROADCAST WITH GUY FORSYTH ]


[ REPLAY BROADCAST WITH STRAY DAWG & SCOTT ]

GUY FORSYTH BLUES BAND Born in Denver, raised in Kansas City, with years spent in New England and California, young Guy Forsyth and his family saw a great many parts of this country and had a lot of great experiences. In his early teens, Guy's musical foothold was forming. Around age 16, Guy's musical roots were driven by the likes of Robert Johnson. In addition to singing, he took up the harmonica. Guy Forsyth cut his teeth in the blues, sneaking into Kansas City Blues clubs before he was old enough to drink. Playing slide guitar and harmonica in both acoustic and electric styles, Forsyth is a musician’s musician practically turning anything into an instrument, be it a saw or an odd household item he finds a way to captivate the audience’s attention with it. Vocally he is mesmerizing. Forsyth's repertoire incorporates elements of blues and Americana traditions, with trace elements of rock, R&B, folk, jazz and pop having been inspired by the great voices of American roots, Muddy, Wolf, Elmore, Little Walter, Armstrong, Waller, Smith, Watson, Waits, Bell and many more -you can hear Forsyth’s eclectic musical base. After moving to Austin, Guy became notable on the list of who's who by the 90's. Through the 90's Guy released four albums, created a cult following with his band "The Asylum Street Spankers", and had a residency at Antone's. Success led Guy to go out on his own, making his music on his record label. Ten of his next eleven albums were recorded under Small and Nimble, Guy's recording label. His touring scheduled became heavier with a lot more overseas gigs getting booked. Guy travels heavily in Texas, both at the major indoor venues as well as the outdoor festivals. He might enjoy that a little more because it lets him get back to his two daughters. He devotes time to supporting Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. He works with local schools and enjoys seeing the children amazed by the magic of music. Guy pretty much does that with every audience he performs for. Guy Forsyth is in our Hall of Fame, an Honorable Lifetime Member Artist of the San Antonio Blues Society. Back in 2001 at the Gunter Hotel, Guy performed at our first Robert Johnson Festival, originally a two day affair. He was part of a killer lineup that included Honeyboy Edwards, Rusty Martin, Steve James, Gary Primich, Catherine Denise, Jake Owens, and others. We are proud to have Guy Forsyth as an Honorary Lifetime Member Artists of the San Antonio Blues Society.

THE BAND 
Guy Forsyth - Guitar / Vocals
Josh Fulero - Guitar
Kris Brown - Bass
Jud Johnson - Drums
Will Webster - Mandolin / Guitar / Quills / 
                       Banjo / Fiddle

WEBSITE 
www.guyforsyth.com

FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/guyforsythband/

STRAY DAWG AND THE WOLVES Stray Dawg and The Wolves are a high energy Austin, Texas area blues band known for their intense and compelling live performances, driving songs, and bringing the Texas Heat to the stage. Led by guitarist and vocalist Stray Dawg, the sound is reminiscent of blues legends Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, and many other blues greats. Born in Duluth and raised in Northern MN Stray Dawg was captivated by the sounds and songs of any blues music he could get his hands on and became a Region 2 arts council award recipient at 13. As an adult he relocated to the Tampa Bay area, playing the blues and paying dues throughout Central Florida. After a short time in Nashville TN honing his guitar chops and a return to Tampa Bay, he relocated to the Austin TX area where he formed the Wolves with seasoned area musicians and which has been his home base for most of the last decade. After receiving a grant from the City of Austin Live Music Fund, the group released "Blues On The Inside" on 8/16/25. The release party was held at the group's home base club, the Gruene Grove, in historic Gruene TX, where they have maintained a monthly residency for the last 7 years. With a digital release scheduled for 9/12, this latest album is 9 tracks of all original blues material showcasing what has become a powerhouse band in the Central Texas area. The "Wolves" are composed of: Eric Przygocki (pronounced Sha-goat-ski) on bass guitar. The most seasoned member of the band. Eric has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe and shared the stage with names like Sam Myers & Anson Funderburgh, Gary Primich, and Nick Curran among many others. Sharing rhythm and lead guitar duties with the Dawg is Jose Felix Rivera-Tirado, a Bayamon, Puerto Rico native. Jose has gigged extensively in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas as well as working internationally and as a session musician, forging a rock solid rhythm guitar technique and a unique, tasty blend of latin, blues, and jazz influences in his solos. Holding down the drum seat is Dan Aubert (pronounced A-Bear). Mostly self taught with 30+ years of drumming experience, Dan has honed his chops backing numerous bands throughout Florida and Texas. Influenced by Clyde Stubblefield, Bernard Purdie, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Elvin Jones, and others, his aggressive, driving style forms the backbone of the Wolves and is the wheel that drives the band. We are proud to have Stray Dawg and The Wolves as Member Artists of the San Antonio Blues Society.

THE BAND
Stray Dawg - Guitar / Vocals
Jose Felix Rivera-Tirado - Guitar
Eric Przygocki - Bass  (pronounced sha-goat-ski)
Dan Aubert - drums  (pronounced a-bear)

WEBSITE
www.StrayDawgandtheWolves.com

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/StrayDawgandtheWolves

 
fiesta blues heritage series 2025 

THE SHOW WAS A HIT musically with blues driven energy from the stage at Sam's Burger Joint. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon; perfect for a double-act blues show. The audience was large in attendance right from the beginning as local boogie blues band Smokehouse Guitar Army opened the show to a very appreciative audience.

Everyone was excited to see Carolyn again and she was happy to be playing at Sam's. She brought her friend Shelley King. That is quite some royalty: Carolyn is a member of SABS' Hall of Fame, while Shelley is the first woman to be appointed Official State Musician of Texas by our legislature.

Tickets, we sold alot of them. This show was very well attended with floor seats filled, tables filled, and all the booths bought. This was such a great show of support by the show goers. Our Membership drive was a great success, starting about eight weeks before the show. Our event tshirts were a hit again, as well as our standard merchandise. We appreciate every dollar spent and donated. It all goes to our Continuing Missions in the Community.

Our thanks to everyone who participated in our Silent Auction and our Gift Basket Raffle. SABS received a good amount from the auction and the raffle, as well as general donations. Once again, we appreciate this great showing of support for what we do and for the ones we do it all for. The proceeds go to our Sam Baird Scholarship Fund as well as our Blues in the School Project.

Our Gift Basket Raffle Team Scott • Miriam • Orlando

Orlando and Edna, our first winner of the GIft Baskets

Scott and Miriam with Carolyn smiling on

Our second winner, Debbie

Pamela, VP/Membership, Master of our Gift Baskets

Some of the donated items from our Silent Auction

Silent Auction Items

Artist and recipient

As another show in the books, we think that we delivered a pretty good show to a full room of blues lovers. This is the first of two capital shows in this, our 35th year of being the San Antonio Blues Society. The artists all had a great time. The audience had a fantastic afternoon. Now, on to Robert Johnson SA Sessions 2025 in November. Be sure to check out the show fotos. Also, play the rebroadcast from our radio show over at KRTU 91.7FM, hosted by JJ Lopez.

[ VIEW FOTOS FROM THE SHOW ]
 

click to listen to the REBROADCAST

	ABOUT THE ARTISTS
	CAROLYN WONDERLAND This little jewel is a true Texas Treasure. An amazing performer with a voice that is as soft as a child but in an instant could cry out and bring down thunder. She was raised around the music of Houston and was soon a fixture on the gig circuit. Carolyn travelled the state and became widely known both for her musicianship and her composition. Her hard work and dedication to music earned her a seat with royalty. In 2018 Carolyn was asked by John Mayall to join his band, both on recordings and tours. We knew early about her potential. In the second decade of SABS existence, we held a blues festival at Sunset Station celebrating women and blues music. On the ticket were Diuna Greenleaf, Carolyn Wonderland, and Bett Butler so you can imagine how spectacular a show it was. Pretty soon Carolyn was a frequent performer in San Antonio at Sam's Burger Joint. Her shows were always great and never the same. She will do many songs on her many electric and acoustic guitars as well as her lap guitar. From time to time she will play her trumpet on stage for us and it's just as fun as can be. When she's in a particularly fun mood, she breaks out the red ball nose. She lives to share. She lives to entertain. Carolyn will be the last one to leave the building. She stays hours after the gig is over so she can visit with friends and fans. She signs everything and has her picture taken with anyone that asks. Recently, Carolyn was inducted as an Honorary Lifetime Member Artists of the San Antonio Blues Society. [ CLICK TO VISIT CAROLYN'S WEBSITE ]
	SMOKEHOUSE GUITAR ARMY Born in 1986 in El Paso, Smokehouse Guitar Army (SGA) is a road-tested, guitar-driven Texas Blues and Boogie Band with a down-home Lone Star rhythm. The band is fronted by three distinctive guitar players and a standout rhythm section. Along with their own originals, the SGA song list features classic selections from Legends such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Jimmy Reed, Albert King, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, Chuck Berry, and Canned Heat. The band is built on great "local" talent (remembering that Texas "local" extends for hundreds of miles!)Being members of the San Antonio, Houston, and Austin Blues Societies, Smokehouse performs with many talented players, from Texas and beyond! They play all over San Antonio on the local gig circuit, including San Antonio Special Events Centers like the Arneson Theater and South Texas Culture Center. There are gigs up the road in Hill Country, over to Houston, and back to San Antonio. Once this band started up in San Antonio, it did not take long for local audiences to take notice. In 2015, Smokehouse Guitar Army was voted the #1 Best Blues Artist/Band in the 2015 San Antonio Music Awards. Hard work and good talent. That built Smokehouse. Since the beginning, this band has had the fortune of putting talented friends together that love performing, allowing lifetimes of experience to be expressed musically. Smokehouse Guitar Army is the guaranteed-you'll-remember-'em award winning San Antonio band. They are a Member Band of the San Antonio Blues Society, as well as being Corporate Sponsors. [ CLICK TO VISIT SMOKEHOUSE'S WEBSITE ]