Annual Benefit For Austin Musicians Launched Virtually

AUSTIN, TX — A virtual benefit designed to raise support for local musicians dubbed "HAAM Day" was launched on Tuesday.

The acronym of the event's title stands for Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, which provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income, underinsured working musicians with a focus on prevention and wellness. The Alliance, along with underwriting sponsors Austin City Limits Music Festival and SXSW, are hosting this year's virtual benefit for musicians in virtual version given challenges posed by the coronavirus, officials said.

"It is important for the organization to continue the tradition and raise as much funding as possible, especially as they celebrate 15 years of HAAM Day," officials explained in an emailed advisory. This year’s goal is an ambitious $600,000, organizers added.

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Every year, organizers said, HAAM Day is a celebration of Austin music, and this year is no different. Instead of in-person locations, HAAM Day will be streaming virtually. HAAM is also thrilled to announce this year’s partnership with FOX 7 Austin, where four hours of programming will be aired throughout the day.

“This year, on September 15th and as we celebrate our 15th year, we hope to bring a little bit of the magic to Central Texans in the safety of our own homes as we aim to raise more than $600,000 in one day for our underserved musicians,” Reenie Collins, CEO of HAAM, said in a prepared statement. “HAAM Day is our largest fundraiser of the year, and is a critical element to the continued success of the HAAM and our mission of providing access to preventative healthcare for Austin’s working musicians. We are excited to put on an amazing show with a diverse and rich lineup - our goal is to have something for everyone, and to let viewers enjoy iconic favorites while also introducing viewers to emerging artists.”

WATCH HAAM DAY LIVESTREAM

HAAM provides a lifeline to Austin musicians, and since 2005, has helped nearly 6,000 members access more than $90 million in healthcare services, ranging from primary and specialty care, dental, vision, hearing, mental health and other services. Funds raised on HAAM Day will go toward providing these direct services to musicians, which means every dollar donated will be used to help artists continue to create the music we all love to enjoy.

Each dollar donated to HAAM is leveraged into $7 of direct services to musicians. This means a $100 donation provides $700 dollars of medical services.

“Musicians need our funding now more than ever,” Collins said. “Musicians already live in a very fragile ecosystem, and now our musicians and creatives who make Austin ‘The Live Music Capital of The World’ are devastated with no real relief in sight. HAAM Day has an ambitious goal this year, but the funding is imperative to our continued success. We are doing everything we can to provide assistance to our musicians during these uncertain times. With money being tight, the last thing we want is for our members having to choose between groceries and healthcare.”

Organizers added: "Like many today, musicians in Austin are suffering the ramifications of COVID-19 and as a community it is important to protect them at this time, so when the pandemic is over, they will still be playing the live music that we so love."

The day of giving features a dizzying array of virtual performanced from noted local musicians, including Asleep at the Wheel, Marcia Ball, Ray Benson, Hayes Carll, Gina Chavez, Glorietta, Alesia Lani, Ley Line, Eimaral Sol, Tiarra Girls, Jackie Venson and more.

Brené Brown, professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host, will also speak on the unifying powers of music and why it is so important to support HAAM.

Segments throughout the day are produced by Luck Productions and can be viewed on HAAM Day at MyHAAM.org, HAAM’s Facebook page, FOX 7 Austin, and Luck.stream. Along with these, more than 150 musicians will also host HAAM Day livestreams/performances on their own Facebook pages. There will also be an accompanying silent auction - details to come.

For more information about the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, a full lineup of performances (including musicians doing their own livestreams) on HAAM Day, and how to donate or get involved, visit www.myhaam.org.

Graphic courtesy of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

About the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income, underinsured working musicians with a focus on prevention and wellness. Local philanthropist, savvy businesswoman, and Austin music lover, Robin Shivers, founded HAAM in 2005 in an effort to alleviate some of the financial burdens on musicians. For more than 15 years, HAAM has kept the Live Music Capital of the World alive and well.

With the continued support from its many community partners, the organization has helped nearly 6,000 musicians access over $90 million healthcare services, including both primary and specialty care and in areas including dental, vision, hearing and mental health. Seton Healthcare Family, St. David’s Foundation, Capital Area Dental Foundation, Estes Audiology, and Central Health provide healthcare services.

For more information, visit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians website.