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 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’. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Juneteenth with the music of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Albert Collins, Katie Webster, Sippie Wallace, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Johnny Copeland and Gatemouth Brown. He also notes the centennial birthday of the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features a collection of recordings by Blues Hall of Famers including Muddy Waters, Albert, Freddy and BB King, Etta James, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells and Elmore James. He also includes new CDs by Larry McCray and D.K. Harrell. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the Alpena Blues Festival with his guests from the Alpena Blues Coalition. This year it is a free festival at the bandshell with a lineup including Eliza Neals, Broken Arrow Blues with Tosha Owens, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues along with Blues By the Drop 5,. He also debuts new CDs by Larry McCray and Samantha Fish. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features part 2 of his tribute to Joe Louis Walker. He also spins new CDs by Terry Hanck, Dave Specter, Brandon Santini, Lisa Mann, Terrie Odabi, Aki Kumar, Carolyn Wonderland, Ally Venable, Southern Avenue, Willie Buck & Bob Corritore. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of Joe Louis Walker including his interview with Joe as he discusses his musical influences. Robert also spins new releases by Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Iguana, Tad Robinson, Tim Gartland, Kim Field and Mitch Ryder. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music by the 2025 Blues Music Award winners including Ronnie Baker Brooks, Mr. Sipp, Shemekia Copeland, Curtis Salgado, Ruthie Foster, Sue Foley, Mike Zito, Keb’ Mo’, Thornetta Davis, Eden Brent, John Primer & Bob Corritore. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest FREE blues festival. We’ll hear from Mavis Staples, Bobby Rush, Billy Branch, Thornetta Davis, CJ Chenier, Johnny Rawls, Lurrie Bell, John Primer and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Also the 75th anniversary of the Chess label and a centennial celabration of B.B. King. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay notes the passing of Chris Youlden, former lead singer of the British blues band Savoy Brown. He also spins new recordings by Charlie Musselwhite, Terry Hanck, John Primer, Carolyn Wonderland, Southern Avenue, Janiva Magness, and Ally Venable. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features the post-war Detroit blues scene with comments from blues harp player Aaron "Little Sonny" Willis. He was part of the Hastings Street blues scene along with John Lee Hooker, Baby Boy Warren, Eddie Burns, Washboard Willie, One-String Sam, Bobo Jenkins and Eddie Kirkland. Join Robert for some post-war Detroit blues on "The Juke Joint."
