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Robert Barclay

Host, The Juke Joint

Robert Barclay launched "The Juke Joint" broadcast on WCMU in April 1985. It has been a Sunday night fixture from 8:00-11:00 pm ever since. A devoted listener dubbed him the "Duke of Juke." He includes nearly a century's worth of blues history on his program including traditional and contemporary blues along with boogie woogie, soul music, rhythm & blues, zydeco and gospel music. 

In 2004, the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee honored him with the "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" in the radio category. The ceremony was hosted by Bob Porter, a noted blues producer and author.  The Blues Foundation is an international organization that promotes blues music and maintains the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. 

In 2015, the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters presented him with the Public Media Impact Award for "outstanding contributions to Public Broadcasting." 

Since 1988 he has been a contributing photographer to Living Blues magazine, published by the University of Mississippi, and his work has been published on CD covers for a variety of blues artists. 

He was the Director of Photography in the University Communications office at CMU where he was employed since 1980. He retired in 2013 and was granted emeritus status. 

He and his wife, Peggy Brisbane, photographically documented the history of WCMU's "Our Front Porch" concert series for several decades and continue to document the Wheatland Music Festival. 

  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay offers a tribute to guitarist, songwriter and producer Steve Cropper. He includes Cropper's work with Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Shemekia Copeland and Rufus and Carla Thomas.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates blues and soul royalty with BB, Freddy and Albert King along with Koko Taylor, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Thornetta Davis, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay celebrates Big Mama Thornton’s 99th birthday along with new releases by Kim Wilson, the Altered Five Blues Band, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Rory Block and Greg Nagy.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” and “Destination Out” Mike Johnston and Robert Barclay will offer a tribute to record collector David Ginsburg. We’ll hear selections of blues, rockabilly, jazz and world music from Cecil Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf, Sun Ra, Lightnin’ Slim, Louis Jordan, Slim Gaillard and Elmore James.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins listener requests for Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Tab Benoit, Mitch Woods, Marcia Ball, Sonny Terry and Little Charlie & the Night Cats. He also shares new CDs by Greg Nagy and Billy Branch.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay celebrates the blues birthdays of Bukka White, Valerie Wellington, Bobby Rush and Lavern Baker along with new releases and reissues by the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dave Keller and Elmore James plus some more tunes by Marcia Ball.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features his interview with acoustic blues guitarist Ernie Hawkins. We’ll hear Hawkins' music along his favorites: Reverend Gary Davis, Hank Williams, Mance Lipscomb, the Harlem Hamfats and Blind Willie McTell. He also spins tunes from pianist Marcia Ball.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features some new releases from the Tedeschi Trucks Band,, Candice Ivory, Doug MacLeod, Roomful of Blues, Dave Keyes and Erin Harpe’s tribute to Mississippi John Hurt. He also plays requests for Ray Charles, Albert Collins and Snooks Eaglin.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some more soundbites from his interview with acoustic blues guitarist and singer, Rory Block, plus a new disc from Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. He also plays some requests for John Lee Hooker, Byther Smith and Walter “Wolfman” Washington and he notes the passing of Chris Dreja, a co-founder of the Yardbirds.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay shares his interview with acoustic blues guitarist and singer Rory Block. She offers details about growing up in Greenwich Village in the 1950s and ‘60s, crossing paths with Bob Dylan, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Maria Muldaur, Reverend Gary Davis and Alan Wilson.