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 Louisiana blues, Cajun and zydeco music from C.J. Chenier, Beausoleil, Katie Webster, Lazy Lester, John Mooney, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier and the Buckwheat Zydeco Band.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music for Dr. Martin Luther King’s 96th birthday including songs of the civil rights movement by the Staple Singers, Bob Dylan, the Neville Brothers and Pete Seeger along with gospel selections by Sam Cooke, Dorothy Love Coates, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Clara Ward Singers and the Dixie Hummingbirds.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins his favorite releases from 2025 including the work of Larry McCray, Maria Muldaur, Buddy Guy, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tommy Castro, Carolyn Wonderland, Clifton Chenier, Doug MacLeod, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo.’
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Elvis Presley’s 91st birthday. We’ll hear from Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Bobby Bland, Carl Perkins, Little Milton, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis and Booker T. & the MGs.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Chess record label in Chicago. Most of the artists are Blues Hall of Famers including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Etta James , Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins sacred and secular songs for the holiday season by the Staple Singers, Charles Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, James Brown, Keb’ Mo’, the Persuasions, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Taj Mahal.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.