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
-
This week on The Juke Joint is a re-run of a program that originally aired April 27, 2025. Robert Barclay features the post-war Detroit blues scene with comments from blues harp player Aaron "Little Sonny" Willis. He was part of the Hastings Street blues scene along with John Lee Hooker, Baby Boy Warren, Eddie Burns, Washboard Willie, One-String Sam, Bobo Jenkins and Eddie Kirkland. -
This week’s edition of “The Juke Joint” is a re-run of a program that originally aired April 13, 2025. 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's edition of "The Juke Joint" is a rebroadcast of a program that originally aired on August 10, 2025. In this episode, Robert Barclay explored the work of influential soul songwriter Don Covay, featuring recordings of his songs by Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Solomon Burke, the Staple Singers, and Chubby Checker. This special encore presentation is part of WCMU's Summer Fundraiser, with fundraising support provided by hosts Rick Brewer and David Nicholas. -
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.
