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 Mississippi hill country blues. He includes R.L. Burnside and members of hthe Burnside family along with Junior Kimbrough, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Jessie Mae Hemphill and the North Mississippi All Stars. -
This week on “The Juke Joint,” host Robert Barclay previews some of the lineup for the 19th Marquette Area Blues Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. We’ll hear from Larry McCray, Curtis Salgado, Mississippi Heat, Corey Dennison, Adrianna Marie & the Groovecutters, the Ivy Ford Band plus Motor City Josh and the Big 3. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features the work of songwriter, producer and drummer Tom Hambridge. He includes his work with Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Louis Walker, Johnny Winter, Marcia Ball, Delbert McClinton, James Cotton and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. -
This week on “The Juke Joint" broadcast, Robert Barclay spins blues & soul music requests chosen by civil rights activists Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dick Gregory and Julian Bond, actors Danny Glover, Jim Belushi and Jeff Daniels, along with former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, former governor Jennifer Granholm and NPR correspondent Don Gonyea. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features new releases. This includes music by the Nick Moss Band with Dennis Gruenling, Joanna Connor, Eric Clapton, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Monster Mike Welch, Selwyn Birchwood, Samantha Fish with Jesse Dayton and Arlen Roth with Jerry Jemmott. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins more music from the Arhoolie Records catalog produced by the late Chris Strachwitz. We’ll hear from Big Mama Thornton, Booker White, CJ Chenier, Mercy Dee Walton, Jesse Fuller, Robert Pete Williams, John Jackson, Big Joe Williams and Beausoleil. He also debuts the new CD by the Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay spins some old favorites. We’ll hear from Howlin’ Wolf, Hound Dog Taylor, Etta James, Luther Allison, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, Ray Charles, Jimmy Reed, T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth Brown and Delbert McClinton. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of Billy “The Kid” Emerson, an early artist on the Sun label in Memphis, and songwriter Cynthia Weil who wrote songs recorded by the Drifters, the Animals and the Righteous Brothers. Robert also debuts new releases by Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Selwyn Birchwood, D.K. Harrell, Joanna Connor, Arlen Roth and Jerry Jemmott. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” Robert Barclay salutes the late Art Rupe, the owner of the Specialty record label. He'll spin his releases by Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Guitar Slim, Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers, Percy Mayfield, Frankie Lee Sims, Clifton Chenier, Mercy Dee Walton, Joe Liggins and Dorothy Love Coates & the Gospel Harmonettes. He will also play new releases from Doug MacLeod, Jose Ramirez and Larry McCray. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the 19th annual Alpena Blues Festival which takes place on Saturday, June 17th. The lineup includes Ray Fuller & the Bluesrockers, the Broken Arrow Blues Band, Down River Dan, the Smokin’ 45s and Way Out Wayne and the Neck Benders. He also plays tunes by the Chris O'Leary Band who will be at the Gem Theatre in St Louis (Michigan) on Thursday, June 15th along with new releases from Selwyn Birchwood, Bob Corritore and Lil' Jimmy Reed.
