Judges
KENDALLBEARD
KendallBeardisaTexas-basedsinger/songwriterandonehalfofthe AmericanaduoLoveandChaosalongsideproducerandmusicianAJVallejo. Blendingcountrystorytellingwithrockenergyandsoulfulharmonies,theduo hasbecomearisingforceintheTexasmusicscenewithchart-toppingsingles including"Wildflower,""ComeBacktoBed,"and"RatherBeAlone."Aformer semifinalistonSeason8ofAmericanIdol,Kendallhasperformedeverywhere fromintimatesongwriterroundstomajorfestivals,withtouringcredits alongsideREOSpeedwagonandStyx.In2023,LoveandChaostookhome"Best NewBand"attheTexasRegionalRadioMusicAwardsandearnedthree nominationsforFemaleVocalistoftheYear.Beyondmusic,Kendallisacontent creator,entrepreneur,andmomoftwo bringingcreativity,humor,and authenticitytoeverythingshedoesonandoffstage.
TRENNIS JONES
Trennis serves as Vice President - Community Impact for Austin FC, the only major sports team in Austin, TX. He is passionate about using the power of sport to empower people who enrich our community. Previous to Austin FC, Trennis has served as an Executive in the sports industry for more than two decades, leading non-profit Positive Coaching Alliance in the state of Texas, serving as a Player Agent at Octagon, and in Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Trennis is a graduate of The University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in Communication. While in Boulder, Trennis was a scholarship athlete for the Men’s Basketball Team from 2000-2004. In his free time, Trennis enjoys playing golf, reading, and walking Jack, the family dog He is most proud to be husband to his wife, Amy, and Dad to their daughter
Judges
NAKIA
Nakia is an influential queer artist whose commanding, soulful voice has captivated audiences for over 20 years. A fan-favorite semi-finalist on Season 1 of The Voice, he has shared stages with legends including Willie Nelson and B.B. King, and performed at Austin City Limits, SXSW, and queer celebrations across the country Deeply respected for his community leadership, Nakia helped create emergency relief for Austin's musicians during the pandemic earning the title of "Local Legend" from Matthew McConaughey A three-time Recording Academy Texas Board Governor, he remains a leading queer voice in the industry. His 2025 album Signal marks his first collection of originals since 2009, blending 80s synth-rock with his signature soul. His band, Nakia & The Never Not Now, holds a residency at Austin's C-Boy's Heart & Soul, and he DJs four nights a week Nakia lives in Austin with his husband of 22 years, Robert, and their dog, Baker
TAYLOR WALLACE
Taylor Wallace has been a KUTX host since 2014 and has helmed the morning drive time slot for the last six years For the last two years, she's been the Head Producer for KUTX's Song of the Day, offering her an extra opportunity to do her favorite part of her job: giving up-and-coming Austin artists their first feature and spin on the airwaves She always wants to know what you're reading.
Emcees TREVORSCOTT
Trevor Scott is an Austin television personality and host of the CBS Austin morning program ‘We Are Austin.’ You can catch him on TV every weekday morning highlighting the people, stories, and organizations that make central Texas such a special place to call home.
He has a passion for storytelling and big love for Austin’s robust music community. Each and every Monday on his show, Trevor hosts a local band or musician during his Music Monday series benefiting HAAM He is actively involved in many of Austin’s other non-profit efforts, and is always looking for opportunities to engage with the community in positive, productive ways. He lives here in Austin with his husband and two rescue pups, Julie and Dot.
QUITACULPEPPER
QuitaCulpepperisthe6and10pmanchoratKVUEinAustin,Texas. QuitaisoneofAustin’smostcelebratedandtrustedTVjournalists. Withmorethan25yearsofexperience,Quitahasmeteveryonefrom thePresidentoftheUnitedStatestothemanwhoworksbehindthe counteratherfavoriteresturant.
VIP Performance by
DJ MAHEALANI
DJ Mahealani believes there are ghosts in grooves that are divine remedies wanting to be heard. She spins vinyl spells & a wicked bitch- es brew of beats. Her sound is old school new wave lunar bump; dusty ol' space age jams & modern beats from back in the day. She flips the familiar into future fun & makes heart beats & booties collide. Her beat matching and vinyl blends conjure magic on the dance floor
Denise Grodé - Cirrus Logic
Meredith Cranch - Cirrus Logic
Laura V Johnson - PNC Bank
Steven Gonzalez - PNC Bank
Summer Schott - Schlotzsky’s
Lauren Baker - Ascension Seton
Miguel Romano - Ascension Seton
Marcus Moreno - Netspend
Caitlyn Macaluso - FVF Law
Megan Davis - LatticeWorks
PRESENTING SPONSOR
STAGE SPONSORS
MUSIC BY
EVENT SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO
PICK-A-PICK & AUCTION DONORS
ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Alotten
Anna Kraft Fine Art
Antone’s Nightclub
ATX Backline
ATX Event Systems
Austin FC
Austin Film Festival
Brane Audio
Breakaway Records
Butler Pitch & Putt
Brown Distributing
C3 Presents
Carpenter Hotel
Canned Beets
Patrick & Judy Cantilo
Central Machine Works
The Circuit of the Americas
Criquet Shirts
Dulce Vida Tequila
Flat Creek Estates
Gibson Gives
Graphic Guitar Guys
Gold Rush Vinyl
Hai Hospitality
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
The Hemby Estate
imogene + willie
KUTX
La Condesa
La Lumiere New York
Live Nation
Luck Presents
Mañana Coffee
Milam & Greene Whiskey
Misc. Rentals
Moody Center
Mythic Guitar Company
New Waterloo
Nova Hospitality
PNC Bank
Resound Presents
Room Service Vintage
Schlotzsky’s
SharpeVision
ShakeShack
Snarf’sSandwiches
SoundwavesArtFoundation
SpokesmanCoffee
StarVistaLive
St. ElmoBrewing
StephenF. AustinHotel
StraitMusic
JoshuaStringer
SwayThai
Tacodeli
Tecovas
TejasTonic
ThunderhouseMedia
TroublemakeStudios
TupeloGoods
UniversityofTexasPress
WaterlooAudiology
WaterlooGateway
WaterlooIceHouse
YETI
ZilkerBelts
FAN FAVORITE VOTING
HAAM PEARL SOCIETY
The Pearl Society is an outlet for music lovers to plug into Austin’s legendary music scene, while backing HAAM’s life-saving healthcare programs Pearl Society members make an annual financial contribution of $1,200 or more to HAAM and gain exclusive access to industry events and concerts through the year, including access to Ray Benson’s Annual Birthday Bash and the Corporate Battle of the Bands VIP Pre-Party, which includes backstage tours of ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
To learn more about HAAM’s Pearl Society and how to get involved, please contact Ally Keeper at ally@myhaam.org or visit myhaam.org/Pearl-Society
Sound check. Good for bands. Essential for your money.
At PNC, we’re like the roadies who set up your gear, so your gig goes off without a hitch. Providing sound financial advice so you can rock on with confidence. But tonight, we’re taking the stage as a proud supporter of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) with our band, The C Notes And we’re ready to shred Not your money, though. We’ll be more careful with that.
The Mag Stripes
…have lit up the HAAM Corporate Battle of the Bands Stage since 2007, earning crowd favorite awards along theway. Their amazing performances have brought home such titles as Best Stage Performance (2017), Fan Favorite (2019), and Song of the Year (2022) for their soulful cover of Colors, by The Black Pumas. Now entering their 9th year, the band is back with a power-house set sure to bring the place down.
The Mag Stripes are made of wonderful souls who give their passion to music, arts, community, and each other. The representation is a mere reflection of; who, what, they and our company encompasses to our community, customers and the greater good.
Get Ready! Get Loud! Get pumped and ready to throw down on this performance by The Mag Stripes!
Andrew Yao - Keyboards | Mike Ruscio - Guitar | Natasha Bridell - Vocals | Olibeti Moultry - Vocals | Vineeth Chohan - Bass
THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
JULIE FITCH - BOARD CHAIR
STEPHANIE BERGARA - CHAIR ELECT
SORIYA ESTES - SECRETARY
MAX HAMPTON - TREASURER
NIKELLE MEADE - PAST CHAIR
BECKY ARREAGA
LAUREN BAKER
EMMETT BELIVEAY
RAY BENSON
BRUCE CALLAHAN
PATRICK CANTILO
CLIFFORD CHIU
JOSHUA GINDELE
STEVEN GONZÁLEZ
DENISE GRODÉ
JOHN T. KUNZ
LUIS PATIÑO
WENDY SMITH
JOHN TRUBE
AARON VON FLATERN
CHAD WHITHED, MD
SAVE THE DATE!
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
Three-time winner of ‘Most Creative Event’ at the Austin Music Awards
HAAM Day 2026, powered by PNC & SXSW is more than just HAAM's largest and most important fundraiser of the year, it’s also Central Texas’ largest one day music festival! 250+ performances, 105+ venues, 300+ local musicians!
On HAAM Day, music lovers will hear live music bouncing off the walls of grocery stores, restaurants, shops, rooftops, in parks, iconic live music venues and more, in an effort to raise awareness and critical funds for HAAM. Most performances are free, open to the public & familyfriendly! HAAM Day will also feature prominently on area TV, radio, digital & print and will again this year feature a mobile-friendly, interactive event map, making it easy to plan your HAAM Day and night!
INTERESTED IN JOINING AS A SPONSOR?
Visit www myhaam org for more information or email Leilani Perry at leilani@myhaam org
For over 20 Years...
HAAM provides Austin-area musicians access to affordable health, wellness, and prevention services to strengthen their quality of life in support of our vibrant music culture.
Since our founding in 2005, HAAM has been a lifeline for the musicians who power the Live Music Capital of the World. We've transformed the landscape of healthcare for our musicians in partnership with a community-minded network of providers and supporters.