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Steven Johnson has recorded demos of three songs in tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Robert Johnson. Listen to his takes of “Come On In My Kitchen,” “Cross Road Blues” and “Kindhearted Woman Blues.”

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Record Store Day with an electrifying line-up of exclusive new and collectible 7″ and 12″ vinyl releases.

For RSD 2017, Legacy is offering an extraordinary range of 7″ and 12″ titles from a variety of artists including Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Toto, André 3000, Robert Johnson, Coheed and Cambria, Dennis Wilson, Harry Nilsson, Moondog, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Johnny Mathis, Ben Folds (with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra), Johnny Cash, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and others.

Now in its tenth year, Record Store Day is an annual day-long celebration of record store culture held on the third Saturday in April. RSD 2017 will be celebrated at independent record stores worldwide on Saturday, April 22, 2017. To locate your nearest participating RSD 2017 retailer, please visit: http://recordstoreday.com/Stores.

Legacy Recordings Record Store Day 2017 releases include:

Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings: The Centennial Collection – 3LP 12″ vinyl – Numbered
In 1936 and 1937, Robert Johnson recorded two sessions of Delta blues that would profoundly shape the course of rock music over the 20th century. The Complete Recordings: The Centen-nial Collection is the ultimate document of these groundbreaking sessions. All 42 known record-ings are exquisitely remastered on 3 LPs, packaged in a deluxe tri-fold jacket including extensive liner notes–the first time Johnson’s complete recorded works are available in one vinyl package. This set also includes an exclusive bonus poster featuring the original labels of Johnson’s 78 RPM singles, released by Vocalion 80 years ago.

Read about other Record Store Day releases at LegacyRecordings.com.

There are two good pieces of news to share about the ongoing restoration of the Warner Bros. building at 508 Park, the historic site of some of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson’s most famous recordings and the future site of a street culture museum.

A $2.1 million grant from the Moody Foundation puts Encore Park, as the development is being called, at $10 million of its $18 million goal. Meanwhile, the announcement that renowned museum designer Adrian Gardere—who has consulted on the project from the start—will be officially joining Encore Park’s design team bodes well as development gets closer to the finish line.

Read more at D Magazine.

Related News:

• Encore Park To Host Robert Johnson Blues Revue Featuring Steven Johnson And Guest Guitarist Holland K. Smith – July 27, 2015
• Step Into Dallas’ Historic 508 Park Building – Star-Telegram – March 13, 2015
• First Phase Of Renovation Completed At Building Where Robert Johnson Recorded His Music – October 23, 2014
• New Life For Dallas Building With Robert Johnson In Its Musical History – March 21, 2013
• Church Plans To Renovate Building Where Robert Johnson Recorded His Influential Music – November 28, 2011

Aerial view of Encore Park. Credit: Carol J. Adams

The Robert Johnson Blues Museum is looking for help! The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation, managed by the family of Robert Johnson, is seeking to raise funds to remodel the museum in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. The museum honors the life and legacy of Robert Johnson, and serves as one of the sites on the Mississippi Blues Trail for fans to appreciate the area that gave birth to the blues. The museum project was envisioned by Claud Johnson, son of Robert Johnson, and is now being carried out by his sons, following Claud’s passing this year.

Please visit the Robert Johnson Blues Museum GoFundMe page if you would like to contribute to this cause, or please share the GoFundMe page if you would like to have a part in keeping this legacy alive. Thank you for your support.

Dallas Street Choir to Open the Concert and Sing Alongside Johnson

Encore Park, an innovative cultural and social impact campus in Dallas’ historic Harwood District, is hosting the Robert Johnson Blues Revue on August 14 and 15 at its 508 Amphitheater. The public concert on August 15 will feature Robert Johnson’s grandson Steven Johnson and special guest guitarist Holland K. Smith and open with the Dallas Street Choir. The Robert Johnson Revue will also perform on August 14 following a VIP reception at the new amphitheater.

Steven is returning to Dallas to celebrate and perform his grandfather’s music with his band at 508 Park, the exact location where Robert made music and blues history and recorded half of his songs in 1937. Robert Johnson’s only recordings were produced by Don Law and Art Satherley of the American Record Corporation (Brunswick and Vocalion). Johnson died in 1938. His music was rereleased by Columbia Records in 1961 as “King of the Delta Blues Singers,” influencing musicians around the world. Robert Johnson’s music inspired legendary artists like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards.

“The band’s sound is Robert Johnson-style blues catered to the 21st Century,” quipped Steven Johnson. “We play ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and all of my granddad’s music with a rhythm he would have played if he’d had a full band.”

The Dallas Street Choir will open for the main act at 8 p.m. on August 15 with four songs. The choir’s final song will be with Steven Johnson. Operating out of The Stewpot, which is located across Park Avenue from the 508 Amphitheater, the Dallas Street Choir is made up of people who are homeless and/or are severely disadvantaged. The choir is led by Jonathan Palant and aims to inspire people and lift the street community up. “Our sound is our own. It focuses on singing with heart and building a community through song,” says Palant. “We use song to forget the stresses of today, come closer together, and have fun.”

General admission tickets for the August 15 concert are $10 and preferred seating tickets are $40. Gates will open at 7:30 and event-goers are invited to bring small coolers. Chairs will be provided. No pets or firearms. Free public secure parking is available in the First Presbyterian Church garage at 408 Park Avenue at the northeast corner of Young Street and Park Avenue. VIP tickets are $75 and include a reception and short show with Steven Johnson and his band on Friday night, August 14th. The VIP ticket will also include admission to the Saturday night concert. Both events will take place at the 508 Amphitheater starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

About Encore Park
Encore Park, an outreach project of The Stewpot and First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, is an innovative revitalization program of an historic, but long-neglected block in downtown Dallas. Work began with the Church’s purchase of 508 Park and adjacent properties in 2011. With the goal of improving the lives of the homeless and improving downtown Dallas, the cultural social campus currently includes Encore Park’s 508 Amphitheater, Sculpture Wall and Community Garden. Fundraising for Phases II and III to complete the interior of 508 Park’s recording and art studios, rooftop, and Museum of Street Culture; add a teaching kitchen to the Community Garden; and renovate 515 Park is underway. More information at www.encoreparkdallas.org.