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 features some doo-wop, blues and R&B tunes by Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Slim Gaillard, Cab Calloway, Slim Harpo, Blind Blake, Larry Williams, Gene Vincent, Otis Redding, Don & Dewey and Little Anthony & the Imperials. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins his favorite blues CDs from 2023. He includes work by Joe Louis Walker, Taj Mahal, Bobby Rush, Catfish Keith, Johnny Rawls, Sue Foley, Lil' Jimmy Reed, Coco Montoya and Monster Mike Welch. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music for the holidays. He includes tunes by Shemekia Copeland, CJ Chenier, Charles Brown, the Campbell Brothers, Louis Armstrong, Odetta, Roomful of Blues, Keb’ Mo’, Hop Wilson, Big Harp George and Lisa Biales. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates some late December birthdays including three great blues harp players Paul Butterfield, Sugar Blue and Rod Piazza. He also includes Bo Diddley, Professor Longhair, Lil Green, Esther Phillips, Joe Louis Walker and Eddie “Cleanhead" Vinson. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some new CDs by Marcel Smith, Ghalia Volt, Robin Trower, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Robert Finley, Tom Hambridge, Jimi Hendrix and Mathias Lattin. He also celebrates the birthdays of Tom Waits and Big Mama Thornton. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay celebrates the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall, on his 90th birthday. Robert includes his interview with Mayall and spins his music along with some of Mayall's favorites: Otis Rush, Sonny Boy Williamson #2, Albert Ammons, Buddy Guy, Little Walter, John Lee Hooker, Meade Lux Lewis, Champion Jack Dupree, Coco Montoya, Freddy King and J.B. Lenoir. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay celebrates the 90th birthday of Bobby Rush and notes the passing of Chicago blues drummer Willie “The Touch” Hayes including his work with Carey Bell, Son Seals, Mighty Joe Young, Luther Allison and Big Twist & the Mellow Fellows. He also notes the death of R.L. Boyce, a master Mississippi hill country blues guitarist. And he spins new CDs by Robin Trower, Sue Foley and a “live” recording by Jimi Hendrix. -
Something is cooking on “The Juke Joint” this week: Robert Barclay is spinning songs about food and drink. We’ll hear from Professor Longhair, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Louis Jordan, Tony Joe White, Albert Collins, Sonny Boy Williamson, Saffire the Uppity Blues Women, Marcia Ball, CJ Chenier, Johnny Adams, Robert Johnson and Slim Gaillard. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay does a tribute to Lawrence Cohn who produced the Roots & Blues Series on CDs. He includes music by Robert Johnson, Booker White, Willie Dixon, Tampa Red, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Mississippi John Hurt, Lonnie Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy and Son House. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features blues, Cajun and zydeco music by Albert Collins, Son Seals, Johnny Littlejohn, CJ Chenier, Terrance Simien, Gatemouth Brown, Johnny Shines, BeauSoleil, James Cotton and Buckwheat Zydeco.
