2025 Benefitting The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians HAAM – Kicked off SXSW
I have something to say:
This post is going to be a bit different than any of the other posts I make about live music because it pertains to the Health Alliance here in Austin, and why they do what they do. I also need to mention that I am in no way affiliated with them. I have volunteered taking photos a few times, but that is it. I merely respect what it is that they do.
I don’t typically put my opinions out in the public because “the public” is brutal, which is exactly why I am this time. This is all from my own perspective and experiences.
For over 30 years I have been involved in different areas of the arts, fashion, film and photography. I, like many others, have social media accounts to stay in touch with people I know and for business purposes. I try to avoid it as much as possible because of the unbelievable poop on it. Every day we see all of these nasty comments (opinions) going by (mixed with the few good ones) about everything, but this message is about the nastiness toward celebrities or people just trying to get by in the different areas of the entertainment industry.
See, this is the deal. If you are bagging on these people, you should probably stop yourself and think for a moment how hard it is for yourself to get by, in this world—unless of course you just happen to have enough money to make it. Then you should stop and think to yourself, money or not, how many days of your life you have listened to music, or watched tv or film, or hung art on your walls, or walked by and seen it on the street, read books or looked at magazines etc. Then ask yourself how your own life would be if you never had any of those things available to you. What would your life honestly be like without music, for instance? It blows my mind how much crap creative people get put on them, and for what? Because someone actually “makes it” and becomes famous? Do people actually have any clue just how hard it is to survive making art? How many have struggled as an artist out there?
I can promise you not every person out there making art is doing it to become famous. “Fame” is fleeting anyway for most —isn’t there actually a song about it? Most are doing it because they were made to do it, it’s in them, and they are willing to give their lives to it because there is no other way. Just like every other individual out there, we are all unique in who we are and what we do, and what it is we are doing or want to do… doctors, teachers, real estate people, stay at home moms or dads, IT people, athletes, or whatever it is.
You could not have told me, when I was growing up, that I would ever be interested in creating. I had no clue that I actually was creative. People didn’t understand it then either, so I just never considered it. I didn’t understand myself enough yet, but I got it, and I have done it now for years. I wouldn’t trade my life even if I could. I got interested, started…and that’s it, that is all. No fame, no fortune—it just keeps leading me. And fortunately, along the way, I had amazing mentors to help me on my journey. I lived off of bologna sandwiches and Top Raman for a lot of years to have it in my life, and will never stop because I was empty before it. You know what that is right? “Emptiness:?” I actually have a full time job now to support myself because I am not as immersed at this time. But that is me, and this is not about me. This is about those that wake up and go to sleep creating, yet stressing how they will make it. Who are unable to go to the doctor or dentist or any of those places because they can’t afford to live day to day—just to fill this world with music and literature and all of those precious things that so many take for granted.
Now, on with the show! This is what HAAM does, and all of the musicians at this show were there because they care and because they know just how important what they were doing actually is.
Once a year, Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel) holds his annual Birthday bash to support HAAM. He has been committed in his support since it was founded in 2005, and Austin thanks him for that.
These are just some of the things HAAM does:
- HAAM leverages collaborations across community resources and between its musicians, healthcare providers, and the community to provide access to critical services and support to improve the health and lives of local musicians.
- HAAM allows musicians to take the leap from a day job to creative entrepreneur.
- Health insurance covers the entire family, providing a stable base for their career.
- HAAM prevents medical bankruptcy.
WHO HAAM SERVES:
- Musicians, DJs, and music teachers in Travis and surrounding counties.
- Half of HAAM musicians make less than $24,000.
- 70% of HAAM members supplement their income with other work.
- HAAM members will save more than $16.5 million on insurance costs in 2025.
- Since 2005, HAAM has provided musicians in Central Texas with access to $200 million in healthcare service
You can check out HAAM’s website at:
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