Quality Americana

Austinites are showing their support on the 18th annual HAAM Day in the live music capital of the world. 

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is a non-profit organization that offers access to healthcare for the artist community. 

“Many Austin musicians are self-employed and have no access to health insurance or basic healthcare,” HAAM said. They often work multiple jobs and struggle to pay for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, with nothing left for healthcare.”

HAAM partners with H-E-B

HAAM provides financial assistance for healthcare plans, dental assistance, vision care, discounts on local gyms and works with the SIMS Foundation to provide access to mental healthcare. Venues are hosting lineups city-wide with over two hundred artists for the donation drive, and they have partnered with H-E-B grocery stores for their “HAAM Headquarters” at the new flagship Lake Austin location.  

“Today, Austinites can expect to hear tunes bouncing off the walls of their local bank lobbies, grocery stores, parks, restaurants, shops, and of course – live music venues,” HAAM said.

HAAM Headquarters features The Trishas’ Kelley Mickwee

The Lake Austin headliners are the legendary Rosie Flores, The Tiarras and Kelley Mickwee and Friends. Mickwee is a member of The Trishas and a singer in Shinyribs’ Shiny Soul Sisters.

Mickwee’s latest release came last year with “Gold Standard,”  a classic country song with sentimental piano, timeless pedal steel guitar, heartfelt fiddle and an overall classic feel. The song was produced by Jonathan Tyler with harmonies from Walt Wilkins.

“HAAM Day is not just about music,” CEO of HAAM Paul Scott said in a press release. “It’s about solidarity in recognizing the vital role musicians play in our community. Musicians are an essential part of what makes Austin special, and we want to make sure they are given every opportunity to continue making the music we love to enjoy.”

More information about Kelley Mickwee can be found here.

Photo produced by Martin Knaack for Flickr. 

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