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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” broadcast Robert Barclay features blues and soul royalty including the work of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Irma Thomas, John Lee Hooker, BB, Albert and Freddy King.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay offers his tribute to the late Roy Book Binder, sharing his stories about Rev. Gary Davis and Pink Anderson. He also spins new releases by Selwyn Birchwood, Laura Chavez and Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay offers his tribute to the late John Hammond, sharing his interview as he talks about growing up in Greenwich Village and crossing paths with Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Ton Waits, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Eric Clapton and Hoyt Axton.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music by the 2026 Blues Hall of Fame inductees including Kenny Neal, Bob Margolin, Ragtime Texas Henry Thomas, Rosco Gordon, Barbara Lynn, Marcia Ball and record label owner Syd Nathan.
  • This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some requests for music by Jimmy Reed, Sam Cooke, Christine Perfect, Freddy King and Sonny Boy Williamson #2 along with new CDs by Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, the James Hunter Six and Crystal Shawanda.
  • 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.