The goal of Heart Strings & Highways is to form a cooperative partnership between music venues, artists and grassroots communities. 

Two years ago, Robert Cline Jr. and Texas Music Cafe (TMC) collaborated to spearhead “Heart Strings & Highways” (HS&H), a cooperative partnership between music venues, artists and grassroots communities. The objective is to provide tools for artists and venues to promote and incentivize audiences and sponsors.  Through the collaboration of HS&H and TMC, the story of the event and its purpose will be featured as part of an episode of TMC and aired on PBS.

In March of 2016, HS&H was launched during a SXSW event at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, TX & Strange Brew in Austin, TX. The HS&H Showcase and live taping of Texas Music Cafe at Strange Brew in Austin, Texas, spearheaded the organization’s mission by cooperatively organizing stakeholders and musicians. Through the collaboration of HS&H and TMC, the story of the event and its purpose will be featured as part of an episode of TMC and aired on PBS (please follow link to view episode 802 & 803). The content collected by TMC includes: over 45 hours of HD quality video content (8 different camera angles) and audio recording of the live show and professional photography. Media from this event has been a useful tool to showcase participating artists and share their talents as well as convey the philosophy and mission of HS&H.

The event featured legendary Austin songwriters, artists from the Flora-Bama Lounge and Package and Official Artists of the Last Honky Tonk Music Series, along with an outdoor complimentary Shrimp/Crawfish Boil for attendees sponsored by DaT Sauce. Featured artists appearing in the showcases included: Tom Gillam and the Kosmic Messengers, Susan Gibson, Lisa Morales, Robert Cline Jr., Brigitte London, Jeff Plankenhorn, HalleyAnna Finlay, John Napier, George DeVore, Brennen Leigh, Noel McKay, Big John Mills, Midnight River Choir, Moondawg Hall, Kyle Wilson, Jill Kinsey, Craig Gerdes, Mudbone, Bo Porter, Kim Carson, Donna Slater, Jason Justice, George Ensle, Charlie Day, Clyde Smith, Bonnie Whitmore, Jana Pochop, Robyn Ludwick, Kacy Crowley, Sean Devine, and Dr. Gregg Andrews.

2017, HS&H  hosted benefit shows in Nashville, TN; Baton Rouge, LA; Austin, TX and Sheridan, WY.
Performers included: Shelley King, Bo Porter, Henry Turner Jr., Big John Mills & Buzz Cason.
(NOTE: Earl Peanutt Montgomery, who was on the bill, did not attend due to emergency).

HS&H filmed two HS&H Events in 2017 with Texas Music Cafe
1) Robert Cline Jr. & Buzz Cason at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, TX, February 22, 2017. Buzz Cason is a legendary artist, songwriter and producer who toured with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. Buzz also discovered Jimmy Buffet and has songs covered by U2, Pearl Jam and The Beatles. He is also producer of the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s Band).

2) Robert’s Bachelor Party at Cheatham Street Warehouse, April 20, 2017. 
Performers included: Guy Forsyth, George DeVore & Big John Mills.