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.
-
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. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of Tina Turner along with lyricist Pete Brown who wrote songs for Cream. He also spins the latest releases from Taj Mahal, Alabama Mike, Bruce Katz Band, Lil Jimmy Reed, Big Harp George and Joe Krown. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay offers a tribute to the late Chris Strachwitz, the owner of the Arhoolie record label. He documented some great blues, Cajun and zydeco music by Mance Lipscomb, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, Clifton Chenier and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Robert includes his interviews with Chris sharing his stories about those artists. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins work by the 2023 Blues Music Award winners. This includes Thornetta Davis, Buddy Guy, Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado, Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite, Sue Foley, Sugarray Rayford, Shemekia Copeland and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, among others. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay, the Duke of Juke, shares blues songs about trains. He includes songs by Muddy Waters, Blind Blake, James Carr, Lightnin’ Slim, Louis Jordan, Bukka White, Eric Bibb, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Arthur Crudup, Lead Belly, Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson and Junior Parker.
