HAAM Rockstar: Pat Buchta

Patrick Buchta is one of Austin’s hidden gems. Patrick has a genuine love for the local music community and is a lead advocate for Austin’s musicians and artists. He is one of HAAM’s dedicated volunteers and a true warrior in his own right.

Patrick was born with a rare liver disease and spent most of his childhood in the hospital. As he came into his high school years, his body began to heal and he excelled as a high school student and his passion for music began to grow. Before graduating from Baylor University, Patrick was out with some friends camping in Waco. During this time he began to feel sick again and by the time his friends were able to get him to the hospital, Patrick had lost a third of his blood through an internal bleed in his liver. It was touch and go and they lost him for a couple of minutes. Oddly enough, it was on a Good Friday and he woke up on Easter Sunday. That was an interesting spiritual landmark for Patrick in his life. Patrick says.

Years later Patrick began rebuilding his life in Austin and once again his body recovered. Now a married man with a promising future, he began playing gigs at Steamboat and other classic venues in Austin.

In 2009, Patrick fell ill again and was admitted for a liver transplant. He was going blind and losing mobility. He knew he was most likely going to die and was ready to die. Just as Patrick began to allow this reality to become his truth, the doctor ran in with the news that they had found a candidate for a replacement liver for him.

Surgery was a success! From the moment he woke up, he just knew he had to pay it forward.

As time went on, Patrick and fellow musician and advocacy partner, Nakia Reynoso, charged ahead to bring Austin musicians together which quickly grew into a group of 3,800 members. This began the call to action for the Live Music Fund in November of 2019. This victory sparked the beginning of a movement towards making a dream a reality. Today, Patrick is on the board of directors for Austin Texas Musicians and continues to serve and protect the local music community.

HAAM and AG Rugby recognize Patrick Buchta as a leading catalyst and humble servant for the Austin music community.