Juke Joint
Sundays 8pm-11pm
Every Sunday night, the Duke of Juke, Robert Barclay, is in the house spinning a mix of acoustic and electric music from the 1920s to the present, including from the worlds of blues, soul, R&B, gospel and zydeco.
Robert 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.
Latest Episodes
-
March is Women’s History Month, so this week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features blues and soul music by Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Maria Muldaur, Big Mama Thornton, and Tina Turner. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast it’s Mardi Gras. Robert Barclay spins some New Orleans R&B by Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Doctor John and Irma Thomas along with some brass bands including Trombone Shorty. He also includes some Cajun and zydeco music by Clifton Chenier and Beausoleil. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay offers a tribute to tenor saxophonist Gene “Daddy G” Barge. We’ll hear Barge's work with Fontella Bass, Little Milton, James Cotton, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Willis, Koko Taylor and Sugar Pie DeSanto. He will also debut the new CD from Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features the 2025 class of Blues Hall of Fame honorees including Bob Stroger, Willie Bell, Blind Willie Johnson, Henry Townsend and Jessie Mae Hemphill. He also includes the honored tunes by BB King, Irma Thomas, Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lightnin’ Hopkins. -
Sunday night, February 9th on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay will celebrate the centennial birthday of pianist Henry Gray. We’ll hear his work with Howlin’ Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Rogers and Bob Corritore. He will also spin Taj Mahal’s Grammy winner and the new CD by Tommy Castro. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay will note the passing of soul singer Sam Moore of “Sam & Dave,” Garth Hudson of “The Band,” Josh White Jr. and author Stanley Booth. He will also debut new CDs by Tommy Castro, Bob Corritore, Frank Bey and Eddie 9 Volt. Plus, some more zydeco from Terrance Simien! -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast we’re heading to Louisiana for some Cajun, zydeco and blues tunes. We’ll hear from Terrance Simien, Beausoleil, Katie Webster, C.J. Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, Lazy Lester, Chubby Carrier, Rosie Ledet, John Mooney, the Lost Bayou Ramblers, and Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. The Duke of Juke, Robert Barclay, will include some interview sound bites from three of the artists. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday with an evening of gospel music and songs of the civil rights movement. He includes music from the Staple Singers, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow, Bob Dylan, the Clara Ward Singers and the Harmonizing Four. -
This week on“The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some of his favorite CDs from 2024 by Shemekia Copeland, Jovin Webb, Cedric Burnside, Sue Foley, James Harman and Sonny Gullage. He also notes the deaths of John Mayall, W.C. Clark, Clarence "Frogman" Henry and Carl Weathersby. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast we are Memphis bound to celebrate Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday. I’ll spin tunes by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Howlin’ Wolf, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton, Sam & Dave, O.V. Wright, BB King and Albert King.
