You Can Keep Austin Musicians and it's Live Music Scene Healthy

published October 3, 2006

originally published at: www.myfoxaustin.com

'HAAM Day' is good for Austin musicians and music fans.

HAAM, or Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, is holding a fundraiser Tuesday that will keep Austin musicians, as well as Austin's live music scene healthy.

More than 46 Austin musicians will be playing free gigs all day and night Tuesday at various businesses all over town. The businesses will then donate five percent of everything they make Tuesday back to HAAM.

That money will continue to help HAAM provide affordable health care to low income uninsured professional musicians in Austin.

According to HAAM, most of the 8000 musicians in Austin do not have health insurance. Organizers say they hope to raise at least $50,000 Tuesday.

"The majority of our members are living under 150 percent below poverty, which is about $14,000 for a single person," says HAAM Director Carolyn Schwarz.

"This is our way, the community's way to be able to give back to the musicians and say we care about you, we care about your health," Schwarz said.

Musician Seth Walker is one of the 590 musicians getting health insurance from HAAM.

"It's nice to have that comfort, because it wasn't there before," Walker said. He says for years he just hoped he would not get sick. If he did, Walker says he would just take some over-the-counter pain killers.

HAAM Day sponsors say participating in the fundraiser is one way to ensure Austin stays the 'Live Music Capitol of the World.'

"Without the musicians here that dynamic livelihood that we have going on in our Austin community would not be here," sponsor Anthony Camargo said.