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 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. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features songwriter Mel London, the owner of the Chief label in Chicago. From his label you'll hear Junior Wells, Elmore James, Earl Hooker, Magic Sam and Lillian Offitt. Robert will also debut new CDs by Sue Foley and Ghalia Volt. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of Rudolph Isley of the Isley Brothers. He also spins new releases by Catfish Keith, Coco Montoya, Chris Beard and the Blackburn Brothers and celebrates the birthdays of two pianists, Willie Mabon and Hadda Brooks. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features singers known as "blues shouters" including several “bigs” such as Big Joe Tuner, Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle along with Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, Jimmy Rushing, Etta James, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Jimmy Witherspoon. Robert also notes the centennial birthday of Jessie Mae Hemphill. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features a roundup of blues artists from Texas. He includes T-Bone Walker, Amos Milburn, Johnny Winter, Angela Strehli, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, Pee Wee Crayton, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Sippie Wallace, Freddy King, Marcia Ball and Lightnin’ Hopkins. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features the work of saxophonist King Curtis. He includes his recordings along with session work he did with Aretha Franklin, the Coasters, LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, the Clovers, Sam Cooke and Fats Domino. Robert also includes new CDs by Coco Montoya and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.
