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’s edition of “The Juke Joint” is a rebroadcast of a program that originally aired January 26, 2025. We’re heading back 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’s edition of The Juke Joint is a re-run of a program that originally aired October 9, 2025. Robert Barclay spins a couple of vintage albums by Junior Wells and Tom Waits. He also shares new CDs by Rory Block, Roomful of Blues, Johnnie Johnson, Doug MacLeod and Gina Sicilia. -
This week’s edition of “The Juke Joint” is a rebroadcast of a program that originally aired March 9, 2025. The Women’s History Month-themed episode 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 Robert Barclay shares some of the 2026 Blues Music Award winners. We’ll hear from Buddy Guy, Ronnie Baker Brooks, D.K.. Harrell, John Primer, Tommy Castro, Sean McDonald, Eden Brent, Marcia Ball, Trombone Shorty and Billy Branch. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay shares his tribute to the late guitarist, Bobby Murray. During his interview, Murray shares his stories about working with Etta James, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulson, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some listener requests for Taj Mahal, Bob Dylan, BB King, Mike Bloomfield, Savoy Brown, John Hammond, Roy Buchanan, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and some hot tenor sax from Red Prysock and King Curtis. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay spins some new releases from Curtis Salgado, Rick Vito, Amani Burnham, Selwyn Birchwood, the James Hunter Six, Mike Zito and Lil Ed and he Blues Imperials. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast I Robert Barclay previews the 2026 Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest FREE blues festival. We’ll hear from Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, C.J. Chenier, Ruthie Foster, Billy Branch and Sue Foley. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay celebrates the work of British blues producer Mike Vernon and his Blue Horizon label. He includes his work with John Mayall & the Blues Breakers, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Champion Jack Dupree, the Yardbirds, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack and George “Harmonica” Smith. -
This week on “The Juke Joint” broadcast Robert Barclay notes the passing of acoustic blues guitarist Paul Geremia. He also features new releases by Selwyn Birchwood, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Amani Burnham, Bob Corritore, and the James Hunter Six.
