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Robert Barclay

Host, The Juke Joint

Robert 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 previews the lineup for the Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest FREE blues festival. He includes music by Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Larry McCray, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bobby Rush, Mud Morganfield, James “Super Chikan” Johnson, Sugaray Rayford, Nora Jean Wallace and Blues Hall of Famer, John Primer. I He also notes the passing of singer, actor and civil rights activist, Harry Belafonte.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broacast Robert Barclay celebrates the centennial birthday of Albert King, focusing on his “live” recordings at the Fillmore West. King is a Blues Hall of Famer and a Rock and Rol Hall of Famer along with being an influennce on Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Robert will also spin some new CDs by Eric Bibb, Bob Corritore, Alabama Mike, Chris Duarte, Big Harp George and Boo Boo Davis.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay shares more stories from his blues interviews, this time about Koko Taylor, Clifton Chenier, Son House, Big Walter Horton, Wilson Pickett, Smokey Wilson and Albert Collins. He also debuts new CDs by Taj Mahal and Bruce Katz.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins the latest releases from Shemekia Copeland, Walter Trout, Delbert McClinton, GA-20, Harrison Kennedy and John Nemeth. He also notes the passing of Detroit songwriter, Lamont Dozier, with some tunes he co-wrote for the Motown label including music by Martha & the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and the Four Tops.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features post-war Chicago blues from 1946-1958. He includes music by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Nighthawk, Memphis Minnie, Elmore James, Big Maceo, Sonny Boy Williamson 1&2, John Brim, Junior Wells, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and Sunnyland Slim.
  • This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast Robert Barclay previews part of the lineup of the 18th annual Marquette Area Blues Festival which takes place Labor Day weekend in Marquette, MI. This includes music from Carolyn Wonderland, Taildragger with Rockin' Johnny Burgin, The Jimmys, Biscuit Miller, Crossroads Resurrection, Vanessa Collier and Reverend Raven & the Chain-Smokin' Altar Boys.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some new CDs from Shemekia Copeland, Kenny Neal, The Silent Partners, Bernie Pearl, Janiva Magness, The Texas Horns, Big Jack Johnson, the Phantom Blues Band and Harrison Kennedy. He also previews the upcoming Port Sanilac (Michigan) Blues Festival which takes place August 5th and 6th, a free blues festival.
  • This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast Robert Barclay features blues recordings by artists from around the world. He includes artists from Ireland, Brazil, Costa Rica, England, Italy, The Netherlands, Israel, Croatia, Austria, Canada and Australia.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay offers another helping of #1 hits from the Billboard R&B charts. He spins tunes by Ray Charles, Little Esther, Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Jimmy Forrest, Eddie Boyd, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, the Coasters, Little Walter and Big Joe Turner.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay offers a tribute to Joel Whitburn who compiled numerous books about the Billboard charts. Robert focuses on the early years of the R&B charts and the music of Louis Jordan, the Coasters, Charles Brown, the Dominoes, Julia Lee, Nat “King” Cole, the Drifters, Guitar Slim, Ruth Brown and Fats Domino. He also debuts new CDs by Eric Clapton and Robin Trower.