Austin’s music scene depends on the people behind it. Each September, HAAM Day brings musicians, music lovers, and local businesses together to support the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Founded in 2005, HAAM helps Austin-area musicians, DJs, and music teachers access affordable health care and wellness services, including primary and dental care, vision, hearing, mental health, and health care navigation. Since its founding, HAAM has helped more than 8,000 musicians access more than $215 million in health care services.
For local musician Ginger Leigh, that access proved life-changing. After discovering a serious health concern, she worried cost might keep her from seeking care. Through HAAM, she saw a doctor, received an early diagnosis, and got the surgery she needed.
“HAAM helped save my life,” Leigh says. “HAAM doesn’t just help Austin musicians when we’re sick. It gives us access to preventive care so we can catch problems before they become crises.”
HAAM now serves more than 3,300 musicians annually. HAAM Day brings that year-round mission into the spotlight. The 2026 festival featured more than 750 local musicians performing more than 300 free shows at 150-plus venues throughout Greater Austin, from music venues and restaurants to neighborhood businesses.
For Eric Harrison, bassist for the West Texas Exiles, the day gives musicians an opportunity to return that support.
“HAAM Day is the day we get to give back just a tiny percentage of what HAAM does for our community year-round,” Harrison says. “We share our music for a few minutes, while they have organized a giant free festival all over our big little city to raise money to keep taking care of musicians in Austin.”
HAAM Day is a celebration, but its impact lasts well beyond one day, helping care for the people who give Austin its sound.
To learn more about the organization, please visit www.myhaam.org
“We travel all over the country and can tell you for a fact there is nothing like HAAM.” -Eric Harrison