The Live Music Capital of the World is home to incredible musicians whose talent and creativity enrich our live music scene and embody what makes our city unique. From an Iranian immigrant who found his voice in world music to an open-format DJ who is also a Top Five Austin Business Woman of the Year and nominee for an Latino Media Orgullo Award. These artists represent not just different musical genres, but the diverse paths that lead creators to make Austin their artistic home.

How do we keep these creatives here in Central Texas?

The music scene in Central Texas is home to immensely talented and passionate local musicians like HAAM member Nicole Quinn who makes Austin the incredible and vibrant community we all know and love. We’re sharing Nicole’s story and her newly released EP!

It is HAAM Music Monday powered by FVF Law, and HAAM + We Are Austin are so excited to bring this next Austin artist to the stage. Ferera Swan wrote her first song at the age of ten, a sign of the immense talent to come. Today she is a powerhouse singer, songwriter, violinist, pianist and composer. Ferera uses her music to champion adoptee rights and social change, and today she’s accompanied by Tony Rogers on the cello.

Marcela Antonioli, LPC-I is one of HAAM’s Program Coordinators and assists HAAM’s  musicians, DJs and music teachers with navigation of healthcare services.   Marcela coordinates HAAM’s vision program, mind and body program, hearing health services and supports HAAM’s prescription assistance and community outreach efforts.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Violet Lea (Madam Radar, PAACK) was working as a full-time musician in South Korea when her life was turned upside down by an undiagnosed skin condition. She eventually moved to Austin when she learned about HAAM and our mission to assist musicians like herself who are in need of healthcare navigation and assistance. Every single HAAM donor, every single HAAM donation, leads to life-saving medical success stories like Violet’s. “It's just incredible that we live in a city that offers healthcare to musicians. I have so many friends that suffer because they just can't afford to go get a tooth fixed, or go to the doctor. It breaks my heart and I just feel so grateful that I have HAAM. It makes me really emotional to think about it because I lived so long without health insurance. I can’t thank HAAM enough!”

This year, HAAM and Estes Audiology celebrate 15 years of partnership and the Hear Clinics for HAAM musicians. Established in 2008, the collaboration between HAAM and Estes Audiology provides hearing screenings, individual counseling on conservation and protection, as well as custom-fit filtered earplugs.

"I couldn’t be more grateful for HAAM. I haven’t been to a doctor in over 20 years. I have always been afraid to see one because I’ve been afraid to see what they will discover. My family has a history of cancer and diseases related to high blood pressure … My doctor told me if I had waited things could have been critical. I made some serious life choices and I feel better than ever! Thanks to HAAM and the staff at Austin Regional Clinic! I’ve spent sleepless nights worrying if my partner will outlive me. Now I embrace everyday as a blessing. I feel a newly rejuvenated feeling to make music, share music, and live life to the fullest. I feel I have a purpose and a community to support my health."

HAAM musician Charlie Faye was ready to make her post-baby comeback at South by Southwest in March 2020 when the pandemic struck and the music world stopped in its tracks.

Diego “Bull” Avello, lead vocalist for the band “Bull y Los Búfalos,” took a leap of faith in 2011 when he left his small village in Spain and moved to the United States with $4,000 and a guitar.

When longtime Austin songwriter, Ruth Carter, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago, she experienced a wide range of emotions.

“I was in a state of confused shock and panic,” Carter said.

Carter turned to HAAM for help.

If the past year taught us anything it’s that life is unpredictable…..and precious.

Two HAAM musicians understand this truth better than most. Both AJ Vallejo and Doug Day suffered life-threatening heart attacks before their 40th birthday.

A year after the COVID-19 pandemic shook the Austin music community to its core, rapper and singer-songwriter, Kori Roy, aka Mama Duke, joined the HAAM family and enrolled in a health insurance plan. A month later, she got her first free dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Emo’s. And in a few short months, September 14 to be exact, Mama Duke will perform live at her first HAAM Day fundraiser.

HAAM musician Alejandro Rios recalls the exact moment he learned that South by South West was cancelled because of the coronavirus. He was tending bar at Home Slice when his manager pulled him aside and broke the news.

We are thrilled to announce our latest partnership with Sharpe Vision. Through this partnership, Sharpe Vision is generously donating a number of LASIK procedures each year to our Austin musicians, at zero cost to them.