HAAM Jam contributes more than music

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is celebrating the release of its Holiday HAAM Jam CD on Wednesday night.

The first edition raised around $10,000 last year, and HAAM hopes to top that with sales of this second CD.

The organization connects uninsured musicians with critical health services, and local artists lined up to contribute to this fundraiser.

"It was pretty easy to ask them to put songs on the record," said dentist and HAAM provider Dr. Shane Matt, who put the project together. "And they like to do it, too, because they feel like they're giving something back to the community outside of just people coming to their gigs."

"When our providers are doing more than giving back their talent -- whether that be in dentistry or a doctor or a therapist -- he's gone above and beyond to create this CD with our clients, and that's been an amazing gift to HAAM," said Executive Director Carolyn Schwarz.

Wednesday night's CD release party is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Antone's. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.