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 is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on October 8, 2017. Robert Barclay featured the work of Delbert McClinton, a singer, songwriter and harmonica player from Texas. Delbert's early exposure to Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson and Lightnin' Hopkins inspired his musical career. He's performed in roadhouses, juke joints and honky tonks for the past 50 years. Robert had the chance to sit down with Delbert on his tour bus and hear some of those stories. -
This week on The Juke Joint is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on February 19, 2017.Robert Barclay featured the work of Chicago blues harp player and singer Charlie Musselwhite. During his interview with Charlie, they discussed Charlie's years in Memphis and Chicago, where he learned from the blues masters before relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has been based ever since. -
This week on The Juke Joint is a re-run of a program that originally aired September 3, 2017. Robert Barclay played tunes about automobiles (Fords, Cadillacs, a Mercury and a Mercedes Benz) along with songs about road trips on Highway 61 and Route 66! Along with the artists in this photo, he also played tunes by Maria Muldaur, Rory Block, Rosco Gordon, Frank Frost and Jerry Lee Lewis. -
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.
