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 shares some new CDs by Johnny Rawls, Janiva Magness, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Ramos, Rev. Peyton, Bobby Rush, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. He also shares some stories about Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, and Linda Gail Lewis. -
This week on "The Juke Joint," Robert Barclay is celebrating the program's 40th anniversary. He will spin music by BB King, Muddy Waters, Johnny Bassett, Smokey Wilson, George “Harmonica” Smith, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Rod Piazza, James Brown, Tommy Castro and the Blind Boys of Alabama along with interview soundbites. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast, Robert Barclay features a third helping of blues artists with connections to Arkansas. He includes Big Bill Broonzy, Dale Hawkins, Roy Buchanon, Sonny Burgess, Michael Burks, BB King, CeDell Davis, Roosevelt Sykes, Detroit Junior, and Junior Walker. He also notes the passing of Detroit bluesman, Luther "Badman" Keith. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the birthdays of Johnny Clyde Copeland, Louisiana Red and Robert Lockwood Jr. He also spins some new releases by Janiva Magness, Tonny Castro, Reverend Peyton, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Ramos and the Daddy Mack Blues Band. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast it’s the spring WCMU fundraiser and Robert Barclay debuts the new 40th anniversary tee shirt designed by Matt Ozanich. Robert is featuring an all-star lineup of blues talent including BB King, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Shemekia Copeland and Sonny Boy Williamson. -
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.
