News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The Juke Joint with Robert Barclay
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. 

Detroit bluesman Reverend Robert Jones (left) and bluesman Guy Davis (right) stand with Robert Barclay (center).

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
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” it’s Mardi Gras. We’ll hear from Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, BeauSoleil, Clifton Chenier, Marcia Ball, Huey “Piano” Smith, Maria Muldaur, Bobby Charles, Buckwheat Zydeco, Lee Dorsey and some brass bands.
  • This week on "The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features blues guitar instrumentals by Gatemouth Brown, Pee Wee Crayton, Albert Collins, Sue Foley, Freddy King and Lightnin’ Hopkins. He also debuts new CDs by Andy Cohen, the James Hunter Six and Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps..
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins recordings composed by songwriter Titus Turner that were covered by Ray Charles, Little Willie John, Elvis Presley, Julia Lee and Aretha Franklin including “Sticks and Stones,” “Grits Ain’t Groceries” and “Get on the Right Track Baby.” He also shares new acoustic blues CDs by Catfish Keith and Tinsley Ellis.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins Louisiana blues, Cajun and zydeco music from C.J. Chenier, Beausoleil, Katie Webster, Lazy Lester, John Mooney, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier and the Buckwheat Zydeco Band.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music for Dr. Martin Luther King’s 96th birthday including songs of the civil rights movement by the Staple Singers, Bob Dylan, the Neville Brothers and Pete Seeger along with gospel selections by Sam Cooke, Dorothy Love Coates, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Clara Ward Singers and the Dixie Hummingbirds.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins his favorite releases from 2025 including the work of Larry McCray, Maria Muldaur, Buddy Guy, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tommy Castro, Carolyn Wonderland, Clifton Chenier, Doug MacLeod, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo.’
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Elvis Presley’s 91st birthday. We’ll hear from Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Bobby Bland, Carl Perkins, Little Milton, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis and Booker T. & the MGs.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Chess record label in Chicago. Most of the artists are Blues Hall of Famers including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Etta James , Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins sacred and secular songs for the holiday season by the Staple Singers, Charles Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, James Brown, Keb’ Mo’, the Persuasions, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Taj Mahal.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay offers a tribute to guitarist, songwriter and producer Steve Cropper. He includes Cropper's work with Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Shemekia Copeland and Rufus and Carla Thomas.