
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 celebrated some history of Houston’s Juneteenth Blues Festival. He included music by Johnny Clyde Copeland, Albert Collins, BB King, Bobby Bland, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Clifton Chenier, Sippie Wallace, Lavelle White, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Big Mama Thornton, among others.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features bassist Larry Taylor, an early member of the blues & boogie band, Canned Heat. He also spins Taylor's bass work with Rod Piazza, the Hollywood Fats Band, Kim Wilson, the Hollywood Blue Flames and Tom Waits. Robert also notes the passing of slide guitar master, Kelly Joe Phelps and he debuts new CDs from Big Jack Johnson and Janiva Magness.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features a third helping of blues and R&B from Art Rupe’s Specialty label. He includes works by Percy Mayfield, Little Richard, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, Larry Williams, Frankie Lee Sims, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Dorothy Love Coates & the Gospel Harmonettes, Guitar Slim and Smokey Hogg. Robert will also note the passing of Ronnie Hawkins with his rocking R&B recordings.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” Robert Barclay spins new releases by Charlie Musselwhite, Taj Mahal with Ry Cooder; Delbert McClinton, Planet D Nonet's tribute to Buddy Johnson; Mavis Staples with Levon Helm; Keb’ Mo, Edgar Winter, Son House and Doug MacLeod.
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Sunday night on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the lineup for the 37th annual Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest free blues festival. This includes music by Shemekia Copeland, Toronzo Cannon, Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Thornetta Davis, Erwin Helfer, Cedric Burnside, Ivy Ford, Mr. Sipp, Eric Gales, Lurrie Bell and Johnny Rawls.
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This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast, Robert Barclay has Ed Hickok and Ken Nielson from the Alpena Blues Coalition joining him for a preview of the 18th annual Alpena Blues Festival (coming up on Saturday, June 11th). He plays music by Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, Motor City Josh & the Big 3, Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band, the Paul Nelson Band (former bandleader for Johnny Winter) and local favorites, Chris Crown Band.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features the 2022 Blues Music Award winners presented by the Blues Foundation in Memphis recently. This includes music by Tommy Castro, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Sue Foley, Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Curtis Salgado, Zac Harmon, Annika Chambers, Eric Gales and John Nemeth, among others.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” Robert Barclay, the Duke of Juke, plays some more tunes from Art Rupe’s Specialty label by Little Richard, Larry Williams, John Lee Hooker and the Blind Boys of Alabama. He also spins some new releases by Ronnie Earl, the Nighthawks and Doug MacLeod and he notes the passing of Guitar Shorty.
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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.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay, the Duke of Juke, spotlights the 2022 Blues Hall of Famers: Lucille Bogan, Little Willie John, Johnnie Taylor, Otis Blackwell and Mary Katherine Aldin, along with recordings receiving Hall of Fame status. He also includes blues Grammy winners Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Cedric Burnside.