My very first holiday song, “Silver Bells & Sweet Farewells” (PRESS PLAY ON THE JUKEBOX TO YOUR RIGHT TO LISTEN!) is being commercially released on the HOLIDAY HAAM JAM Vol. 1. 100% of the sales of the Album will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Not only is my song on the album, but I have also been quite involved in bringing the project to life alongside its visionary leader, Dr. Shane Matt (HAAM Provider, fellow Louisiana native & “Rock Star” Dentist) & am honored to be Co-Executive Producer of the Album!
The CD is great and filled with beautiful original & traditional Holiday songs performed by Jon Dee Graham & The Resentments, Vallejo, Shelley King, Dustin & Kevin Welch, David Garza, Patrice Pike, Dan Dyer, Wendy Colonna, Haydn Vittera, Shelley Mac & Rod Williams, Alfredo y Tortilla Factory, Laura Scarborough, Dave Madden & Daddies JuJu. You can visit the HAAM JAM website or Facebook page to hear tracks from the CD (jukebox) and see where it’s available.
We will also be having a CD Release & Benefit “Holiday HAAM JAM” Concert at ANTONE’S on Dec. 19th with the HAAM JAM All Star Band including many musicians from the album with special guests including Warren Hood, Tameca Jones, the Grooveline horns & Will Sexton & Charlie Faye & more.
I am blessed. Not only do I manage to make most of my living following my heart’s callings, but I also am blessed by a powerful global community. One of the miracle organizations in my community in Austin is the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. HAAM provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low income, uninsured musicians, focusing on prevention and wellness. I am one of those musicians and without HAAM, myself and many of Austin’s celebrated musical community would not be able to continue making music. HAAM has saved many of my friends’ lives and continues to serve this community in a way that exists in NO OTHER CITY in the world.
We learned earlier this week that HAAM will be able to maintain services for existing HAAM enrolled musicians, but will be unable to enroll new musicians until further funding is secured. With the Holiday HAAM JAM Album & Concert, we are rallying to raise funds & awareness in order help HAAM in an effort to help HAAM continue keeping Musicians in Austin alive and well in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
From Carolyn Schwartz, Director of HAAM:
“Since its founding six and a half years ago, HAAM has helped over 2,700 musicians access over 41,000 healthcare appointments valued at over $10 million dollars. Over this same time, HAAM has grown from working with three affiliate service providers who offer medical, dental and mental health/addiction recovery services to six. Vision, hearing and nutrition services are now a part of the healthcare offerings. HAAM has grown rapidly, and we have been fortunate to have the resources to continually take on new musicians. As of today there are 2,000 musicians accessing care through HAAM and its affiliate service providers, and the eligibility calendar for December is full.
HAAM is committed to growing enrollment in a smart and sustainable way. The HAAM board, staff and devoted volunteers have plans for 2012 to help grow revenue to meet the demand. However, in order to live within our current means, HAAM will not be enrolling new members for an indefinite period of time beginning today.”
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