
Robert Barclay
Host, The Juke JointRobert 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.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay takes us roadtripping on Route 66 and Highway 61 because he's got the key to the highway! We’ll be riding in style in a Cadillac, a Hot Rod Lincoln, a Chevy, a Pontiac and a Mercury with Howlin Wolf, Frank Frost, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some more material from Buddy Guy’s new CD, , some tunes by Catfish Keith who will be at the Wheatland Festival soon and he celebrates the birthdays of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Dinah Washington and Wynonie Harris.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay debuts new CDs by Buddy Guy and Devon Allman. He also features songs written by Willie Dixon, shares some news about guitarist Mel Brown and remembers Flaco Jimenez and his work with the Texas Tornados.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features the work of soul songwriter Don Covay including covers of his tunes by Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Solomon Burke, Hank Ballard, Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers and Chubby Checker.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features new releases by Larry McCray, Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Monster Mike Welch, Brandon Santini, Mike Farris, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the lineup of the free Port Sanilac Blues Fest (a free festival n Port Sanilac). He includes the work of Thornetta Davis, Motor City Josh, Greg Nagy, Tosha Owens, Bobby Murray and Eliza Neals. He also spins some new releases by Maria Muldaur, Carolyn Wonderland and Terry Hanck.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Chess record label with the work of Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Etta James, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Chuck Berry, Little Milton, Fontella Bass and Lowell Fulson.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features a diverse selection of blues guitarists including Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie, Booker White, Blind Blake, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Reverend Gary Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the centennial birthday of songwriter Doc Pomus. He shares interpretations of Doc's songs sung by Ray Charles, the Drifters, Big Joe Turner, Elvis Presley, the Coasters, Johnny Adams, Ben E. King and Dion & the Belmonts.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some listener requests for Slim Harpo, Gatemouth Brown, Marcia Ball, the Grateful Dead and Imelda May. He also plays new CDs by Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell, Dave Specter, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’.