
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
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the centennial birthday of songwriter Doc Pomus. He shares interpretations of Doc's songs sung by Ray Charles, the Drifters, Big Joe Turner, Elvis Presley, the Coasters, Johnny Adams, Ben E. King and Dion & the Belmonts.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some listener requests for Slim Harpo, Gatemouth Brown, Marcia Ball, the Grateful Dead and Imelda May. He also plays new CDs by Larry McCray, D.K. Harrell, Dave Specter, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates Juneteenth with the music of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Albert Collins, Katie Webster, Sippie Wallace, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Johnny Copeland and Gatemouth Brown. He also notes the centennial birthday of the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features a collection of recordings by Blues Hall of Famers including Muddy Waters, Albert, Freddy and BB King, Etta James, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells and Elmore James. He also includes new CDs by Larry McCray and D.K. Harrell.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the Alpena Blues Festival with his guests from the Alpena Blues Coalition. This year it is a free festival at the bandshell with a lineup including Eliza Neals, Broken Arrow Blues with Tosha Owens, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues along with Blues By the Drop 5,. He also debuts new CDs by Larry McCray and Samantha Fish.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay features part 2 of his tribute to Joe Louis Walker. He also spins new CDs by Terry Hanck, Dave Specter, Brandon Santini, Lisa Mann, Terrie Odabi, Aki Kumar, Carolyn Wonderland, Ally Venable, Southern Avenue, Willie Buck & Bob Corritore.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of Joe Louis Walker including his interview with Joe as he discusses his musical influences. Robert also spins new releases by Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Iguana, Tad Robinson, Tim Gartland, Kim Field and Mitch Ryder.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins music by the 2025 Blues Music Award winners including Ronnie Baker Brooks, Mr. Sipp, Shemekia Copeland, Curtis Salgado, Ruthie Foster, Sue Foley, Mike Zito, Keb’ Mo’, Thornetta Davis, Eden Brent, John Primer & Bob Corritore.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay previews the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest FREE blues festival. We’ll hear from Mavis Staples, Bobby Rush, Billy Branch, Thornetta Davis, CJ Chenier, Johnny Rawls, Lurrie Bell, John Primer and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Also the 75th anniversary of the Chess label and a centennial celabration of B.B. King.
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This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay notes the passing of Chris Youlden, former lead singer of the British blues band Savoy Brown. He also spins new recordings by Charlie Musselwhite, Terry Hanck, John Primer, Carolyn Wonderland, Southern Avenue, Janiva Magness, and Ally Venable.