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 spins Louisiana blues, Cajun and zydeco music by Clifton Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, BeauSoleil, Lazy Lester, Katie Webster, CJ Chenier, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Chubby Carrier, Terrance Simien, Steve Riley, John Mooney, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rosie Ledet and the Savoy Family Band. -
This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast Robert Barclay noted the passing of Bruce Bromberg who produced award-winning recordings by Robert Cray, Joe Louis Walker, Lonesome Sundown and Phillip Walker. He also noted the deaths of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Ronnie Spector, and her work with the Ronettes; Rosa Lee Hawkins of the Dixie Cups and songwriter Dallas Frazier whose songs were covered by Slim Harpo, Charlie Rich and Merle Haggard. He also played some new releases by Tinsley Ellis and Corey Harris. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay shared gospel music and songs of the civil rights movement for Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. He included music by the Staple Singers, Clara Ward, Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers, Pete Seeger, Dorothy Love Coates, the Dixie Hummingbirds, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Swan Silvertones and Mahalia Jackson. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay noted some of the artists we lost in 2021. This includes Lloyd Price, James Harman, Byther Smith, Charlie Watts, Paul Oscher, Commander Cody, Willie Cobbs, Roy Gaines, Sherman Robertson, Johnny Nocturne, Grady Gaines and Delmark record label owner Bob Koester. -
This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Elvis Presley's 87th birthday with an evening of music from Memphis by BB King, Al Green, Booker T & the MGs, Otis Redding, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, Howlin' Wolf, Little Milton, Ann Peebles, Sleepy LaBeef, OV Wright and, of course, Elvis Presley. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay chose some of his favorite releases from 2021. This includes releases by Curtis Salgado, Wee Willie Walker, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Guy Davis, Joyann Parker, Dion, Maria Muldaur, Buffalo Nichols, Catfish Keith, Carolyn Wonderland, Kat Danser and Sue Foley. -
This week on "The Juke Joint" Robert Barclay spins sacred and secular tunes for the holidays. He includes Shemekia Copeland, Charles Brown, the Staple Singers, Keb' Mo', Thornetta Davis, Fairfield Four, the Persuasions, James Brown, Marion Williams, Marcia Ball, the Campbell Brothers, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Taj Mahal. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay hosted a “Foodraiser Fundraiser” while spinning the music of Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, BB King, Etta James, Dion, John Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, Sue Foley, Ray Charles, Carolyn Wonderland, Bobby Bland, Freddie King and Little Walter. -
This week on "The Juke Joint" broadcast Robert Barclay notes the early December birthdays of Sonny Boy Williamson, Larry Davis, Lou Rawls, Guitar Slim, Little Jimmy King, Walter Roland, Big Mama Thornton and Tom Waits. He also debuted the new double CD of guitarist Dave Specter. -
This week on "The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay spins tunes from the 10 nominees for Grammy awards in the blues categories. He includes the work of Shemekia Copeland, Guy Davis, Steve Cropper, Cedric Burnside, the Black Keys, Blues Traveler, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Joe Bonamassa, Kim Wilson, Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite.
