Nashville, Tenn. (July 30, 2025) – Two iconic bands with deep roots in country and southern rock are proving once again that their music isn’t the only thing leaving a lasting legacy. Last week in Nashville, BlackHawk and The Outlaws continued their tradition of charitable giving by donating a collective $100,000 to causes close to their hearts.
For BlackHawk, the donation carried special meaning. Henry Paul, a founding member and the band’s longtime frontman, presented a $50,000 check to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in honor of the late Van Stephenson, a BlackHawk co-founder who passed away from melanoma in 2001. The contribution came through the “Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund,” which has now raised more than $500,000 toward cancer research.
On behalf of The Outlaws, Paul also presented a $50,000 donation to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit supporting musicians in need. This gift was made in memory of Outlaws members Hughie Thomasson, Frank O’Keefe, and Billy Jones, all of whom left their mark on the band’s history and on southern rock as a whole. With this year’s contribution, The Outlaws have now given more than $150,000 to MusiCares.
"BlackHawk and The Outlaws continue to fund their respective charities, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Research Lab and MusiCares,” Paul explained. “These donations are part of our ongoing commitment to honor those we’ve lost and support those who need it most.”
For more than three decades, BlackHawk has been one of country music’s most distinctive acts, selling over seven million albums and scoring a string of unforgettable radio hits in the ’90s. Their signature three-part harmonies and heartfelt songwriting continue to resonate with fans across generations.
The Outlaws, meanwhile, remain pillars of southern rock, carrying forward a 40-plus-year legacy built on harmony, grit, and uncompromising musicianship. Their blend of country soul and rock swagger has earned them a reputation as one of the genre’s most beloved and enduring bands.
Though their sounds may be different, both bands share a mission bigger than music: to honor the past, support the present, and invest in a future where their communities thrive. Fans can expect BlackHawk and The Outlaws to continue this tradition of giving for years to come.
For more information, visit blackhawklive.com and outlawsmusic.com.
