Paul and Robbins presented a $40,000 check to Vanderbilt (on behalf of BlackHawk’s “Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund“) and a $20,000 check to MusiCares (on behalf of The Outlaws’ “Fallen Outlaw Fund“).
“The ‘Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund’ and ‘The Fallen Outlaws Fund’ were both formed to help give back to two very worthwhile causes in the name of BlackHawk and Outlaw fans, respectfully,” says Paul. “Raising money for cancer research at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center and also for MusiCares, an organization that helps fund healthcare costs for uninsured musicians, is the cause. Honoring former founding BlackHawk member Van Stephenson and former founding Outlaws members Hughie Thomasson, Billy Jones and Frank O’Keefe, by perpetuating their memory in the name of these two charities, is our goal.”
Collectively since 2006, BlackHawk’s “Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund” has generated $200,000 for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Over the past three years, The Outlaws’ “Fallen Outlaw Fund” has donated nearly $50,000 to MusiCares.
BlackHawk’s and The Outlaws’ “Freeborn Jam,” held each fall at Nashville’s City Winery, helps generate charitable contributions to these efforts along with corporate support from Agrilogic Insurance Services LLC and year-long help from The Outlaws’ benevolent organization, the Four Horsemen Society.