Texas Music Cafe is Waco’s only all-ages, family-friendly, variety music TV show, filmed before an attentive and appreciative live studio audience.
Texas Music Cafe is Waco’s first internationally syndicated TV show and features established acts and unknown prodigies, rising stars, and lone Star legends from every style of music. We have been recording, sharing, and exporting the sound of Texas worldwide since 1997.
We promote, support, and educate artists of all ages and styles and provide hands-on-training across multiple areas of artistry. We have mentored hundreds of artists and creatives that include Addy, Telly, and Grammy award winners for more than three decades.
The TMC studio functions as a soundstage, recording studio, classroom, intimate listening room, and worldwide internet broadcast TV studio.
Texas Music Cafe is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to expanding the musical knowledge of artists, listeners, viewers, and audiences through the Joy of live music, presented in a listening room environment, the way music was meant to be heard.
WHO WE ARE Texas Music Cafe is a nonprofit live music television series, listening room, recording studio, and educational arts organization dedicated to supporting artists, preserving music history, and expanding musical knowledge through authentic live original music.
MISSION
Texas Music Cafe’s mission is to support and educate artists of all styles, archive music history, and expand the musical horizons of artists, listeners and viewers.
WHAT WE DO
Produce live music television and internet broadcasts • Showcase original artists across all musical genres • Preserve and archive Texas music culture and history • Provide artist mentorship and educational programming • Train students and creatives in production and media skills • Operate an all-ages, family-friendly listening room environment
OUR IMPACT
Broadcasting worldwide since 1997 • Audiences in more than 150 countries • More than 40,000 monthly viewers • Hundreds of artists and creatives mentored • Featured Grammy winners, rising stars, and emerging talent • Waco’s first internationally syndicated TV show
OUR SPACE
The Texas Music Cafe studio serves as a: • Live music performance venue • Soundstage and broadcast studio • Recording studio • Classroom and training center • Intimate listening room
WHY IT MATTERS
Texas Music Cafe provides a unique cultural and educational resource by creating opportunities for artists and audiences to connect through authentic original music in a welcoming, environment focused entirely on creativity, learning, and artistic expression.
Gene Smith - Board Member
Meet the passionate team behind Texas Music Café®. Our board and dedicated volunteers work together to preserve Texas music history, support artists, and engage the community through education and storytelling.
Our Mission
Texas Music Cafe® empowers students and musicians through hands-on education, live music production, and artist support. We are cultivating a vibrant community of future industry professionals while ensuring Texas’ musical legacy continues to thrive.
Established in 1997, Texas Music Café® has been a cornerstone in showcasing and preserving the rich tapestry of Texas music. Originally launched as a television series, it featured live performances and interviews with both emerging and established Texas artists, capturing the state’s diverse musical heritage. Over the years, our platform evolved, embracing digital mediums to reach a broader audience while maintaining our commitment to authentic, high-quality music experiences. In 2025, recognizing the growing need to support the music community more holistically, we began transitioning into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This shift allows us to expand our mission, focusing not only on performance but also on education, preservation, and artist relief initiatives.
As we looked toward the future, we saw an opportunity to expand our mission beyond the stage. Now transitioning to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Texas Music Cafe is focused on three core areas: Performance Preservation, Music Education, and Artist Relief.
Performance Preservation: We continue to document and archive Texas’s live music history, ensuring that these moments remain accessible for future generations.
Music Education: We partner with schools, educators, and organizations to provide hands-on learning opportunities in music history, performance, and production. Our programs bring real-world music industry experience to students.
Artist Relief: We support Texas musicians facing hardships through financial assistance programs, helping artists stay on their feet and continue creating.
Our live performances are still a core part of what we do and play a big part in supporting our programs. We’ve broadened our impact to ensure that Texas music not only thrives today but also inspires generations to come.
There are numerous ways to engage with and support Texas Music Café®:
Our extensive archive of past performances is accessible through our official website and YouTube channel. These platforms feature a curated selection of live shows, interviews, and exclusive content, allowing you to experience the essence of Texas music anytime, anywhere.
Yes! Texas Music Cafe is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Texas music history, supporting artists, and fostering music education. Your contributions help us expand our efforts in performance preservation, music education, and artist relief, ensuring Texas music continues to thrive for generations to come.
Yes! Texas Music Café® is in the consideration and planning phase of establishing the Texas Music History Museum, a space dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich musical heritage of Texas.
This initiative will serve two key purposes:
In the meantime, we are actively working on partnerships with schools, museums, and cultural organizations to expand access to these materials while we work toward the development of a physical museum space. Stay tuned for updates as this vision continues to take shape!
Texas Music Café® is a listening room experience, designed to offer audiences an intimate and immersive connection with artists. While we do not operate as a traditional bar, we frequently collaborate with local breweries to provide beer and wine selections during events. Additionally, we offer water and soft drinks to ensure a comfortable experience for all attendees.
Our “menu” features live music performances that showcase the talents of Texas musicians. We do not serve food; however, we encourage guests to dine at local restaurants before or after attending our events. This approach allows us to focus on delivering unparalleled musical experiences while supporting the broader community.