HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2021
Dear HAAMily: If you’re reading this note, you no doubt love music as much as I do. Like me, you may seek solace or inspiration in music. You may be giddy as the live music scene in Austin begins to open back up. You may have even gotten to see your favorite band perform again live at one of your old haunts. My deep love and respect for the musicians who create the music we all love is the reason I joined the HAAM board in 2016. It’s also why I accepted the position as HAAM Board Chair in January 2021 when my good friend Stephen Jeffrey’s two-year tenure came to an end. It’s been a really busy time for HAAM. As you know, our CEO Reenie Collins is retiring at the end of the year after skillfully and passionately leading our organization for nearly eight years. Our board performed a national search and selected Paul Scott as our new CEO. Paul has a deep background in healthcare and nonprofit leadership. He is the right leader for this moment. As Reenie steps down and Paul takes the helm, HAAM is establishing a permanent home, made possible by a legacy gift from Robin and Bud Shivers. HAAM is ready to set down roots, and we are excited to create a new community hub where musicians can come for help (and maybe even play a little music). In 2021, with your support, HAAM helped 2,890 musicans access affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage. We also continued to provide basic needs assistance in the form of H-E-B gift cards so that our most hard hit musicians could afford to eat and pay for their medications. And we organized clinics that connected musicians to 1,380 doses of life-saving vaccines. Although the live music industry in Austin is beginning its slow climb back, the cold hard truth is that most Austin musicians lost nearly two years of income that they will never get back. Before the pandemic, the average earnings for a HAAM musician was about $24,000 per year. The affordability crisis in Austin has only widened during the pandemic, putting the music community at even more risk. This is where HAAM comes in and shines. As described in the musician stories that fill the pages of this annual report, HAAM is and has been a lifeline for Austin musicians. Now more than ever, it’s important that we all show up and support musicians if we want them to continue to spread their magic in our city. HAAM relies on donors like you to support the many programs and services we offer our musicians, such as access to healthcare coverage, dental, vision and hearing as well as individualized healthcare navigation and case management. Please visit www.myhaam.org/donate and make your donation to HAAM to help us finish the year strong. Gratefully,
Heather Ladage HAAM Board Chair
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HAAM’S IMPaCT $112,778,055
2,890
musicians served in 2021
Total value to musicians since 2005
Insurance Coverage
100% of HAAM musicians
89% of HAAM musicians were insured in 2021
2,684
eligibility appointments
Savings on Insurance Costs
HAAM musicians saved
have access to dental, hearing, vision, wellness and specialty care programs along with enrollment and healthcare navigation services
Dental Care
4,383 procedures 1,987 dental visits
A HAAM musician saves an average of
$13,892,765
$7,262/year
on insurance costs in 2021
($605 per month) on insurance costs
100%
of eligible HAAM musicians had all or part of their insurance premium covered
78%
HAAM Musician Earnings
HAAM Growth
2,890
53%
increase
musicians served
of insured HAAM musicians have access to mental health and addiction services
50%
75%
60%
1,890
musicians served
2015
made less than $1,558/mo. 2021
made less than $2,075/mo.
earned barely enough or not enough to get by
40% are worried about affording food
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MaMa DuKe
HAAM GOT ME THE VACCINE AND BACK ON STAGE Mama Duke moved to Austin in 2009 after spending a year in Houston studying photography at The Art Institute of Houston. Like countless musicians before her, Mama Duke, who identifies as a mixed-race queer woman, was drawn to Austin because of the city’s reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Three months after settling into the capital city, Mama Duke was tapped to open for “Naughty by Nature,” a major coup for the musician, who was raised by a Mexican-American mother and a Black father in the small town of Palacios, Texas. Mama Duke, who has earned two Austin Hip-Hop awards and one Austin Music Award nomination, is hoping to inspire musicians of color to make the same life-changing decision she made last spring: to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Mama Duke got both doses of the vaccine at a special clinic inside the legendary Emo's nightclub, organized and sponsored by Austin Public Health, Sendero Health Plans, C3 Presents, Mayor Adler, Central Health and HAAM. She even livestreamed her vaccination on social media to inspire her fans and friends to follow suit. 3
“When I got that first vaccine, it was such a relief. I almost cried,” says Mama Duke. But Mama Duke admits that like many persons of color she was initially wary about getting the vaccine. “I didn’t know enough about it and wanted to wait and see.” After careful consideration, Mama Duke and her wife, DJ Meme Keeley, decided to get the shot not just to protect themselves, but to protect the community. Another motivator? Getting back on stage. “Hell yeah, I wanted to get back on stage. But I wanted to get back on stage with a clear mind,” Mama Duke says. Since becoming fully vaccinated, Mama Duke has started scheduling live shows and has been able to participate in studio sessions with other vaccinated people. She also participated in her first HAAM Day. “During quarantine, we learned how to complete songs over Zoom,” says Mama Duke. “But there is nothing that compares to the music you can make with another human being next to you. You feel watched. You feel seen. You feed off each other.”
COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS 30,000 invitations
1,380 shots
748
individuals
2
clinics
ALeJaNDRo RiOs BLK ODYSSY
HAAM SAVED MY LIFE Contributing to HAAM and supporting musicians in this moment is like a gate-opener for the future. –Alejandro Rios
HAAM musician Alejandro Rios recalls the exact moment he learned that South by Southwest was cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus. He was tending bar at Home Slice Pizza when his manager pulled him aside and broke the news. “I felt pain and disbelief,” Alejandro says. “It was supposed to be my first year as an official artist, and my band was set to play nine or ten shows. Everything that we were supposed to be doing musically suddenly stopped.” Despite the massive setback, like most HAAM musicians during quarantine, Alejandro and his bandmates in BLK ODYSSY never stopped creating. Alejandro also used the forced slowdown of quarantine to take care of a health problem that weighed heavily on him for many years, causing chronic pain in his back, wrist and arm and an agonizing burning sensation when he tried to sleep. In 2019, Alejandro discovered he had a condition called a Chiari malformation, which had produced a massive cyst in his spine that could have ruptured suddenly and paralyzed the 26-year-old. “Basically, my skull was a little bit too small for my brain, so the base of my skull was pressing against my cerebellum and redirecting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid,” Alejandro says. With a cancelled national tour due to the coronavirus, Alejandro finally had time at home to invest in the lengthy surgery and recovery he so desperately needed. He had Chiari decompression surgery in late June 2020, which
was performed by Craig Kemper, MD, FACS with Austin Brain & Spine. The surgery was covered by the subsidized health coverage Alejandro secured through HAAM. The healthcare navigators at HAAM helped him figure out his health insurance coverage and recovery plan and deciphered confusing medical bills. “HAAM was super professional, but I felt like I was being helped by a friend,” Alejandro says. “Knowing that I had people behind me to make sense of everything made the whole situation less overwhelming. HAAM is such a beautiful organization and resource for musicians.” Alejandro had a long, but successful recovery. Follow-up MRIs showed that the cyst that could have upended his life was gone. “It’s amazing to know that I don’t have a cyst anymore that could have been life changing in a horrible way. And my brain now sits where a normal brain sits, which has improved my symptoms,” says Alejandro. As excited as Alejandro is about his improved health, he is even more excited about what the next few months or years will bring in the world of music, especially here in Austin. BLK ODYSSY even performed their first ever Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2021. “I think we are on the cusp of a musical renaissance that is going to be historic,” Alejandro says. “Contributing to HAAM and supporting musicians in this moment is like a gate-opener for the future. It’s such an optimistic thing to invest in as live music starts to open back up and we can be together in person again.”
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RuTH CaRteR
“I never felt so lucky to be an Austinite as I did when I was diagnosed with cancer... knowing that there was a group like HAAM in town. That’s why my first instinct was to show up at their office. I was an emotional wreck, but I knew that if I went to HAAM and asked them questions, that they would guide me in the right direction. And they did.”
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,” Ruth says. Ruth turned to HAAM for help. “I just showed up one day at the HAAM office,” says Ruth. “I wasn’t looking for financial help, but I needed emotional support and guidance. I wanted to know how to navigate the system and maneuver all the tests and appointments I needed to schedule.” HAAM healthcare navigators provided Ruth with both emotional comfort and practical support, helping her get her first CT scan approved and scheduled. HAAM also connected Ruth to Jackie Kerr, MD, an ovarian cancer survivor, longtime HAAM advocate – Ruth Carter and Ascension Seton physician. While Dr. Kerr was not Ruth's physician during her cancer journey, she provided her with a tremendous sense of calm and hope throughout. A week or two after meeting with HAAM, Ruth learned that her cancer was treatable. She was also connected to a nurse navigator at Ascension Seton who was an incredible support to Ruth as she navigated her treatment. Now cancer-free, Ruth still feels tremendous gratitude toward HAAM for being by her side during the early, confusing days following her diagnosis.
JoNaTHaN TeRReLL Deep into December 2020, singer-songwriter Jonathan Terrell lost his voice. Thinking it was simply a bad case of winter allergies, the longtime HAAM musician tried teas and went on vocal rest. But with little improvement after two months, he went to see a specialist, thanks to healthcare coverage through HAAM. Jonathan discovered that he had a massive polyp on his vocal cord caused by overuse. “My voice was like a truck that was losing power,” he says. “It was bogging down and bogging down and would just turn off in the middle of a phrase or a sentence.” Jonathan’s doctor presented him with two options: vocal rest for six months to see if the polyp would go away on its own or undergo surgery and spend five months in recovery. Jonathan chose the surgery, which was performed in March 2021 by ENT surgeon Chad Whited, MD, a HAAM Specialty Care Provider who has treated several Austin musicians. Following the surgery, Jonathan worked weekly with vocal therapist Jennifer Johnson to get his voice back. Johnson graciously donated her time for Jonathan’s weekly sessions where he learned how to access his vocal cords correctly to avoid future damage. “My voice is what makes my income,” says Jonathan, who has resumed touring this year. “Without HAAM, I would not have been able to afford the surgery and focus on my voice’s restoration and recovery. It’s not exaggerating to say that HAAM saved my voice and career.” 5
A HAAM musician saves an average of
$7,262/year
($605 per month) on insurance costs
$13,892,765
Total amount saved on insurance costs by HAAM musicians in 2021
IF THE PAST YEAR TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT’S THAT LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE... AND PRECIOUS. TWO BELOVED HAAM MUSICIANS UNDERSTAND THIS TRUTH BETTER THAN MOST. BOTH AJ VALLEJO AND DOUG DAY SUFFERED LIFETHREATENING HEART ATTACKS BEFORE THEIR 40TH BIRTHDAYS.
HAAM SAVED OUR HEARTS AJ VaLLeJo
DoUG DaY
AJ Vallejo, vocalist and lead guitarist for the iconic rock band Vallejo, experienced warning signs like dizziness and arm pain in the weeks before his heart attack in 2009. Knowing that he had HAAM health coverage gave him the financial peace of mind to get his symptoms checked out. His doctor referred him to Ascension Seton for a stress test, where he suffered a heart attack right there on the treadmill. “I’d be dead for 13 years now,” AJ says. “I kind of feel like I got a second chance, and I truly believe HAAM is a big part of saving my life.” Even though it took him more than a year to fully recover, AJ views his heart attack as a “blessing in disguise,” forcing him to slow down and live a healthier life. He sees his Ascension Seton cardiologist regularly, focuses on getting good sleep and exercises. Like many musicians, AJ sees HAAM as a guardian angel, always looking out for him and being there for him when he needs guidance. “HAAM has been there with me through it all,” says AJ. “Thirteen years after my heart attack, they are still 100 percent watching my health and taking care of everything. I don’t know what I would do without them.”
Three years ago at the age of 36, Doug Day was hiking in Arches National Park when his legs collapsed underneath him. He had to be assisted out of the park by rangers and eventually transferred by helicopter to a major hospital for emergency heart surgery. Doug is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, currently playing drums with Ruby Dice and Jonathan Terrell. In his 20 years in Austin, he has also played with Austin legends like the Eric Tessmer Band and Crooks. HAAM navigators not only connected Doug to a primary care physician and a local cardiologist, they introduced him to an expert at Foundation Communities, who helped him navigate a complex stack of medical bills.
“HAAM is a buoy for so many Austin musicians, helping us afford to live our lives here and make our cultural contributions to this great city. After my heart attack, HAAM was my biggest ally and for that I will always be grateful.” – Doug Day 6
DIeGo ‛BuLL’ AVeLLo HAAM GIVES ME PEACE OF MIND 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. After a short stint in Los Angeles and Mexico City, Diego applied for a highly competitive “extraordinary abilities in the art of music” visa, which has allowed him to stay and build his career in the United States. After his work visa was approved, Diego considered putting down roots in Los Angeles, but he found Austin to be a better fit. “I liked the vibe in Austin, the people and the energy of the city,” he says. “I thought Austin would be good for my soul, and I was right.” Diego, who was accustomed to free medical care in Spain, was uninsured his first year in Austin. He worried constantly about getting sick or injured. But he soon learned about HAAM from a fellow musician and was eligible for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. “It was a huge relief when I got health coverage through HAAM. I knew I was covered if I had an emergency and that I could focus my mind and energy on my music,” Diego says. Diego credits HAAM and its hands-on staff, who helped him navigate the complex process of selecting and signing up for health insurance, with helping him build a successful career in the United States. “Every time I have a concern about healthcare or taxes, I always ask HAAM first. They always lead me to the right people,” he says.
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“Austin understands that music is a big part of our economy and our culture and that if musicians aren’t healthy, there won’t be any music.” – Diego ‘Bull’ Avello
100% of HAAM musicians have access to dental, hearing, vision, wellness and specialty care programs along with enrollment and health navigation services
SaMUeL GReY HoRsE HAAM SAVED MY SMILE Did you know that the 6th Street Cowboy (and the Funky Santa at the Austin Trail of Lights) is a HAAM musician? South Austin native Samuel Grey Horse has always lived and worked with horses. In 2010, he survived a traumatic horse accident that left him in a coma. He cracked his skull, broke his back, neck and twelve ribs and collapsed a lung. His long road to recovery eventually brought him to music. In 2014, while riding his mule downtown, Samuel was approached by the owner of Texas National Outfitters, who asked him to play gigs in the iconic boot store. Samuel and his bandmates performed 70 gigs in the shop. Samuel became a HAAM member in 2014 after he broke a tooth tightening up some leather on his mule’s harness. Although he has medical coverage through Medicaid (as a result of his horse accident), he uses HAAM for dental and vision care as well as healthcare navigation. HAAM prides itself on it's network of dentists who selflessly treat HAAM musicians at heavily discounted rates, year round. Through HAAM's dental program, Samuel was connected with Dr. Shane Matt at Authentic Smiles. Dr. Matt has now seen Samuel through several dental emergencies and has restored Samuel’s signature smile. “Dr. Matt really loves me and I love him,” says Samuel. “That man has got some great pejuta, sacred energy. He’s all heart.”
"It's the little things that really mean everything to me. To have my teeth and have a smile is everything to me. I know HAAM is there if something arises and that makes me very relieved, I don't have to worry." –Samuel Grey Horse
In 2021, HAAM musicans had access to
4,383 dental procedures and
1,987 dental visits 8
HEALTH INSURANCE RANKS HIGH ON THE WISH LIST OF ANY NEW PARENT, AND MUSICIANS ARE NO EXCEPTION. EACH YEAR, HAAM HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING A NEW CROP OF PARENTS ACCESS COMPREHENSIVE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THEIR GROWING FAMILIES.
KeViN CuRtiN A fixture in the live music scene, HAAM musician Kevin Curtin is the newly minted music editor at The Austin Chronicle. He and his partner Molly Ryan are also parents to toddler son, Quinn. Kevin had health insurance through HAAM before joining The Austin Chronicle and qualifying for group health insurance. These days he uses HAAM for its generous hearing benefits, which include access to a free annual hearing test and pair of custom-fit ear plugs. Kevin, like many of his fellow musicians, has also taken advantage of the special pricing available to HAAM families who join the YMCA of Austin. This past summer, after more than a year of isolation, Kevin was excited to take Quinn to the Y pool for swim lessons and to get a little exercise himself. “When you have kids, you realize that life is just beginning again. I have to be there to take care of my son and be healthy enough to do that,” says Kevin.
MaTTHeW LoGaN VaSQuEZ A proud papa of two boys, Delta Spirit’s front man Matthew Logan Vasquez is also a proud HAAM musician. HAAM healthcare navigators helped Matthew find an affordable health plan for his entire family with premium assistance. “Those extra hundred bucks a month, you can feel it in the refrigerator,” Matthew says. “The savings go straight into my kid’s mouths.” Besides the financial benefits, Matthew credits HAAM staff for helping him navigate the complexities of the healthcare world. “When all the billing got mixed up after my youngest was born, HAAM was there to help,” Matthew says.
CHaRliE FaYe 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. “In many ways, the pandemic was terrible timing, but in certain ways it was beautiful timing for me because I ended up having an extra year to just be at home with my baby,” Charlie says. Charlie, who is a single mom to toddler daughter Edie, has appreciated having HAAM by her side not only during the pandemic, but for the past six years. HAAM’s team of healthcare navigators supported Charlie during her high-risk pregnancy, helping her find physicians and specialists that were in her insurance network. “I know if anything comes up, I can call HAAM. My health, my child’s health. HAAM would be my first call,” Charlie says. 9
HAAM DaY
Chief Cleopatra
For more than 15 years, HAAM Day has been one of Austin’s most iconic celebrations of community and music. It’s also HAAM’s largest annual fundraiser. In 2021, for the second year in a row, HAAM Day was presented primarily in a virtual format with more than 100 bands and musicians performing nearly 20 hours of music on TV and livestreamed online. The pandemic may have shifted how HAAM Day looked, but it didn’t take away the energy and excitement that permeated Austin on September 14, 2021. To date, HAAM Day has raised over $750,000. The funds raised have and will be used to provide life-changing care and support to the 2,890 local Austin musicians covered through HAAM.
Daniel Fears
Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Cirrus Logic, all of our HAAM Day Sponsors, and of course the hundreds of musicians who performed and participated in HAAM Day. Thank you to everyone who made a donation, purchased HAAM Day merch or bid in the online auction. Eric Tessmer
Nané
A special thank you to HAAM Day 2021 co-chairs and board members, Heather Ladage and Nikelle Meade, as well as the countless HAAMbassadors for volunteering. HAAM Day Support Jamie Bunch | Leilani Perry Sarah Rucker | Nedda Tehrany PRESENTED BY
MAJOR SUPPORT FROM
Sami Serrano
Bidi Bidi Banda ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM
For full list of all sponsors, visit myhaam.org/haam-day.
Me Nd Adam
Tje Austin
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WaYS To GiVE HELP KEEP MUSIC IN AUSTIN ALIVE AND WELL BY SUPPORTING HAAM MAKE A DONATION
HOST A FUNDRAISER
Your individual donation is vital to supporting HAAM and its mission of keeping music in Austin alive and well. Every $100 donated to HAAM is turned into $700 in healthcare services. Donate today at myhaam.org/donate
Love a good party? Each year, HAAM community supporters sponsor events and other fundraisers to benefit HAAM. If you’re interested in making HAAM the beneficiary of your next event, learn more at myhaam.org/host-a-fundraiser
MAKE A LEGACY GIFT
VOLUNTEER FOR HAAM
Legacy gifts, also known as “planned giving” or “bequests” are a simple and flexible way to support HAAM. By designating HAAM in your will or living trust, you and your family can be sure that a portion of your estate will be directed to HAAM to help keep music in Austin alive and well for generations to come. Your designated gift can be in the form of cash, stock, life insurance, real estate or even personal property. Read more about leaving a Legacy gift on page 12.
Do you love live music and making new friends? Become a HAAMbassador! Volunteer opportunities are available year-round and include activities like collecting donations at concerts and helping the small but mighty HAAM staff out at events. Sign up at myhaam.org/volunteer or email [email protected] to learn more.
JOIN THE PEARL SOCIETY Joining the Pearl Society for a $1,000 annual membership provides HAAM with a stable funding source to maintain and expand the life-changing services and support HAAM offers Austin musicians. Although Pearl Society’s signature in-person events were on hold in 2020-21 due to the pandemic, exclusive access to live industry events and concerts will return in 2022. Learn more at myhaam.org/pearl-society
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DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Have an extra car, RV, motorcycle or other vehicle taking up valuable space in your driveway? You can now donate your unwanted vehicle to HAAM through a quick and easy program called CARS. Learn more at myhaam.org/donate-your-car
SHOP HAAM MERCH Show your HAAM pride and support by purchasing branded merchandise at myhaam.org/shop
LEGACY GIFTS ARE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL WAYS YOU CAN HELP KEEP MUSIC IN AUSTIN ALIVE AND WELL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DESIGNATING HAAM AS A BENEFICIARY IN YOUR WILL, PLEASE CONTACT HAAM CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, CHRIS ALBERTS AT [email protected].
MuSIC LoVeR HaYeS CHaPiN LEAVeS LeGaCY GiFT To HAAM Earlier this year, HAAM received a phone call with the sad news that Hayes Chapin had passed away at the age of 71. Hayes was not a musician himself, but he loved Austin musicians with all of his heart and was a faithful supporter of HAAM from its earliest days. In that fateful phone call, Hayes’ close friend Will Bargmann shared the stunning news that Hayes had donated his entire estate to HAAM. Bob Steele, Hayes’ best friend of fifty years, was not surprised by this final act of generosity. “Music was always a big part of Hayes’ life,” says Bob. “He was very aware that musicians didn’t have access to healthcare and that HAAM helped them out and made more of them want to hang around in Austin. The more musicians who stayed in Austin, the more musicians there were for Hayes to watch perform.” Born and raised in Minnesota, Hayes moved to Texas after having endured more than his fair share of brutal winters. He studied at Texas A&M in Kingsville, before relocating to Austin, Texas - the Live Music Capital of the World. Hayes lived a modest life and despite his hectic schedule, he always made time to see live music with his friends. Hayes attended HAAM Day every year without fail, hanging out at Waterloo Records with the many friends he made in Austin during his long career in the restaurant business. Starting out as a dishwasher at the iconic Night Hawk restaurant, he eventually worked his way up to manager. When he retired in 2017 from the restaurant business, he was a manager at another Austin institution, Serrano’s Cocina y Cantina. Hayes was adored by his friends and spent the final hours of his life listening to the music he loved. Hours before he died, his friend Will and his girlfriend, Peggy Miller, organized a Swan Song concert performed by Christine Albert that concluded with his favorite Butch Hancock song, “Long Sunsets.” In those final hours, Hayes also dictated his last will and testament to Peggy and a hospital chaplain who served as an official witness. Haye’s legacy will live on forever through this final act of kindness and gift to HAAM. The countless Austin musicians who Hayes cherished throughout his colorful life will be fortified and blessed by his generosity for years to come. Top to bottom - Hayes Chapin in recent years, Hayes Chapin hard at work at Night Hawk, Hayes Chapin with musician and HAAM Board Member, Marcia Ball.
ROBIN AND BUD SHIVERS LEGACY GIFT HAAM’s founder Robin Shivers and her devoted husband Bud Shivers had always dreamed of helping HAAM put down roots in a permanent home. After Robin’s untimely passing in 2009, and Bud’s passing in 2019, both Robin and Bud left bequests to HAAM, and now that dream is becoming a reality. Their generous legacy gifts cement the tremendous imprint Robin and Bud have left on HAAM and the dynamic music community that makes Austin so special.
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Reenie & B-DOE at Corporate Battle of the Bands
Reenie and her iconic HAAM boots
FROM CEO TO GOAT FARMER
Jeff Simecek, Robert Ellis, Reenie and Waylon Payne
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, REENIE!
Reenie Collins at HAAM Day
Reenie and Mayor Adler
After almost eight years leading HAAM with energy, passion and an unparalleled “can-do” spirit, Reenie Collins will retire from HAAM at the end of this year. Anyone who has met Reenie can instantly feel her dedication and commitment to HAAM and its musicians. She describes herself as an unconventional CEO, who finds motivation from the people around her. Reenie believes that musicians are the soul of our city and worked tirelessly to ensure that affordable healthcare coverage was within the reach of any musician who wanted it. As a leader, Reenie worked hard to empower her team to go the extra mile to provide individualized support to Austin’s musicians. She ingrained an “of course we can” mindset at HAAM that has led to new collaborations, expanded services for musicians and a wider impact in the Austin music community. During her tenure, Reenie worked with her team to grow HAAM wide and deep, increasing the number of musicians served and the depth and quality of those services. In the past two years, she and her team guided HAAM through the pandemic, overseeing the launch of a basic needs assistance program, two years of virtual HAAM Days and a highly successful virtual Open Enrollment. Last year, Reenie moved to the small town of Round Top, where she has already begun to make her mark as a “farmer” and community leader. She will work with incoming CEO Paul Scott through the end of the year and plans on staying involved with HAAM as a volunteer and supporter.
Thank you, Reenie, for the difference you’ve made in the lives of countless Austin musicians and for the joy you spread while doing it.
Reenie at HAAM Day
Soriya Estes, Reenie and Catarina Sigerfoos
Reenie & Shakey Graves
Reenie & Tje Austin
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Reenie at Corporate Battle of the Bands with Best Song Winners C3 Presents
Reenie and Andy Langer
Reenie and the HAAM Staff after winning Best Music Support Nonprofit for the 7th year in a row.
2021 HAAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Heather Ladage - Chair Austin Business Journal
Clifford Chiu Vista Equity Partners, Austin
Catherine Robb Haynes Boone, LLP
Chris Adams CPA-Retired
Keith Donahoe Southside Bank
Alison Silverstein Alison Silverstein Consulting
Marcia Ball Marcia Ball Band
Kate Henderson Ascension Texas
Tim Taylor Jackson Walker, LLP
Emmett Beliveau Chair Elect C3 Presents
Stephen Jeffrey - Treasurer PNC Bank
*Richard Topfer Castletop Capital
*Ray Benson Asleep At the Wheel
*John T. Kunz Waterloo Records and Video Inc.
* Diana Resnik Emeritus Member
Olga Campos Benz I-Media Strategies
Matthew Long - Secretary Cayetano Development, LLC
* Edward Safady Emeritus Member
Patrick Cantilo Cantilo & Bennett, LLP
Nikelle Meade Husch Blackwell, LLP
* Robin Shivers (1956-2009) Founding Chair * Founding Board Member
2021 HAAM STAFF Reenie Collins, CEO
Ashley Chukwuemeka
Rikki Hardy
Rachel Hanss Blair, COO
Katie Crowley
Beth Kane
Christopher Alberts, CDO
Melissa Davis
Natalie Martinez
Marcela Antonioli
Emmet Duff
Lais Milburn
Alex Beyer
Emily Fredericks
Micaela Racanelli
Jenny Cavazos
Zia Garza
Lisa Stuesser
Serena Cernosek
Kat Griffin
MEET HAAM'S NEW CEO
HAAM proudly announces that Paul Scott will take the helm as CEO in fall 2021. Scott served as CEO for AIDS Services of Austin from 2010 to 2020, before becoming Vivent Health’s Vice President of Engagement after the two organizations merged last year.
Welcome to the HAAMily Paul!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE SERVICE PROVIDERS Over the years, HAAM has formed deep and lasting alliances with the region’s top healthcare providers so that Austin musicians continue to have access to the best and most affordable care possible.
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Mama Duke, Alejandro Rios, Ruth Carter, Jonathan Terrell, Kevin Curtin, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Charlie Faye, Andrew Bennett Creative, I Live Here I Giver Here, Jonathan Orenstein, Leilani Perry, Morty Zapata, Ronny Galdermez, The Real Nix, Benjamin Porter, Todd V. Wolfson, Brenda Ladd, and the Hayes Chapin Estate. 14
The mission of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is to provide access to affordable healthcare to Austin’s low-income, underinsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
DoNATE ToDAY at www.myhaam.org/donate
CONTACT US Health Alliance for Austin Musicians 3010 South Lamar Blvd. • Suite 200 • Austin, Texas 78704 512-541-HAAM (4226) • [email protected] • www.myhaam.org
If you are a musician or know a musician who may benefit from HAAM services, please contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help!
@myhaam