Mariachi and rock ‘n’ roll collided on the stage of Radio/East as a trumpeter, viper violinist, electric guitarist and bassist performed to fund health insurance for musicians in Austin.
On Health Alliance for Austin Musicians Day, Sept. 24, over 300 musicians took the stage at over 100 venues across Central Texas to raise money for the Alliance. HAAM provided access to affordable healthcare to 3,100 musicians this year alone. HAAM chief operating officer and UT alumna Rachel Hanss said since its founding in 2005, HAAM has provided $191 million in healthcare services through partnerships and donations.
“Musicians’ life expectancy, on average, is decreased by 25 years,” Hanss said. “People don’t think about the cost that these musicians show in terms of wear and tear on their bodies, lack of access to preventative healthcare and lack of access to healthcare generally. At HAAM, we’re really proud that we are counteracting that trend.”
Famous across the country, HAAM wanted to highlight the diversity of the Austin music scene in their annual celebration. HAAM strives to help all musicians in Austin, so their goal is to never turn anyone away, said Jenny Cavazos, UT alumna and program services associate.
“We’re always trying to reach (the Latin American) community, people of color and women,” Cavazos said. “When our membership started it was primarily matching the demographic of Austin, but now that things have changed, that demographic is changing, and we want ours to as well.”
In a collaboration with UT’s Department of Fine Arts, Radio/East hosted HAAM’s Latinpalooza, where UT’s Mariachi Parades de Tejastitlán and alumni Haydn Vitera and Lesly Reynaga performed.
Haydn Vitera & The Mariachi Rock Revolution introduced a new genre of music entirely, while Lesly Reynaga stuck to her roots that she learned from her time with UT Mariachi. Reynaga said she is grateful to UT for helping her enter the local music scene. She said although she no longer utilizes their benefits, she strives to help in whatever way she can.
“Even though now I’m fully employed, I still continue to get involved and be in touch with HAAM,” Reynaga said. “They’ve done so much for me through the years.”
