Some ideas begin with strategy – spreadsheets, market research, carefully crafted business plans. Then there are ideas born somewhere between lifelong friendship, live music, and the desire to make a genuine difference in the lives of others.
For longtime friends Jon Yellon and Jay Nazz, founders of Outlaws for a Cause, the spark behind their inaugural music festival came from all three.
Outlaws for a Cause is more than a concert. It’s an all-day celebration of Americana, outlaw country, and roots rock music designed to raise support and awareness for the Lowcountry Autism Foundation while introducing the Hilton Head community to the authentic spirit of Texas music culture.
The event is set for October 10 at Captain Woody’s on Hilton Head Island. While the event itself may be new, the friendships, stories, and musical roots behind it stretch back more than three decades.
Headlining Outlaws for a Cause is Dale Watson and His Lonestars, a legendary figure in outlaw country music known for his fiercely independent spirit and classic honky-tonk sound.
A Friendship Forged Through Music
Yellon and Nazz first met as freshmen at the University of Rhode Island in 1992. They were just college friends who bonded over music, adventure, and a shared instinct for discovering artists before anyone else heard of them.
“We always thrived on hearing something before other people did,” Nazz said. “Music was always this soundtrack to our lives and our friendship.”
At the time, neither of them could have predicted where that soundtrack would eventually lead.
Nazz, a gifted musician who could pick up instruments by instinct, soon found himself on an unexpected path. While he was on a summer trip to Oregon, a band suddenly needed a drummer. Nazz stepped in.
That chance moment changed everything.
The band eventually relocated to Austin, Texas, and Nazz made a life-altering decision. Instead of returning to college, he packed his bags and headed south to pursue music full time.
That band would become Reckless Kelly, now a Grammy-winning force in Americana and outlaw country.
“They really made it,” Yellon said. “Within that Americana outlaw roots-rock genre, they became hugely respected.”
Longtime friends Jon Yellon and Jay Nazz, founders of Outlaws for a Cause, which will benefit the Lowcountry Autism Foundation.
At the time, however, success was anything but guaranteed.
The musicians lived together in a small rental house off South Congress in Austin, surviving on passion, cheap rent, and sheer determination. They traveled the country in a battered Suburban packed with instruments, backpacks, and dreams.
Eventually, Yellon moved to Austin as well and joined the band’s growing operation, helping them navigate the business side of touring life. “We started in a ’78 Suburban where we passed around a window roller to get the windows down,” he said. “Three dudes in the front, three in the back, and the rest packed with gear. Austin back then was just pure authenticity. It was raw and real and full of music.”
Though Yellon’s career path would later take him back to New York and eventually into the mortgage business, the music and the friendships never went away. To this day, the bond remains strong.
Joining the lineup is Ellis Bullard, whose energetic performances and authentic country sound have earned him a growing fan base across the South.
The Inspiration Behind the Cause
The idea for Outlaws for a Cause began taking shape after a small music event last year featuring Texas artist Ellis Bullard, which occurred the same time as the opening of East Coast Capital on Hilton Head Island, the mortgage firm where Yellon works.
Nazz, who now works in artist management in addition to his role with Reckless Kelly, had reached out to Yellon about bringing Bullard to Hilton Head during an opening in the artist’s schedule. The event was a success.
But for Yellon, it also stirred something deeper. “I’ve always wanted to do something more meaningful,” he said.
That desire is personal. Yellon’s younger sister Marnie is autistic and, while she is largely nonverbal, music has always been a powerful source of joy in her life. Growing up, he recalls her smiling constantly as long as music was playing – a joyful expression of echolalia, the repeating of sounds and words common in the autism community, as she hummed happily and repeatedly requested more Billy Joel and more Michael Jackson.
“She loves music,” he said. “All you have to do is give her a little poke and she’s smiling. She’s just this beautiful soul.”
As conversations continued between the two friends, an idea slowly emerged: What if they could combine their love of music with a meaningful mission that could directly impact families in the community?
Enter the Lowcountry Autism Foundation.
“Our mission is to support the Lowcountry Autism Foundation by creating a musical event for the local community to enjoy,” Yellon said. “But beyond that, we want to create something special that actually leaves a mark.”
For both men, the connection between autism and music felt especially meaningful.
“There are so many stories about people on the spectrum who connect deeply with music,” Yellon said. “Sophia Townes, president and executive director of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, told me about her son who’s autistic and has taken an incredible liking to the cello and seems to be making music with no lessons. Music just reaches people differently.”
Nazz agreed. “The timing just feels right,” he said. “People can come out, contribute to a great cause, and also discover incredible music they may never have heard before.”
Opening the event will be Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, founding members of Band of Heathens.
Bringing Texas to Hilton Head
The inaugural Outlaws for a Cause festival will bring a distinct Texas-inspired atmosphere to Hilton Head. The all-day event will feature live music, Texas-style barbecue, silent auctions, VIP experiences, and a strong sense of community.
The festival will begin at 3 p.m. with doors open and music starting at 4 p.m., continuing into the evening with performances from three acclaimed Americana artists.
Headlining the event is Dale Watson and His Lonestars, a legendary figure in outlaw country music known for his fiercely independent spirit and classic honky-tonk sound.
Joining the lineup is Ellis Bullard, whose energetic performances and authentic country sound have earned him a growing fan base across the South.
Opening the event will be Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, founding members of Band of Heathens, whose latest release recently climbed to the top of the Americana charts.
“The artists involved in this aren’t flash-in-the-pan acts,” Nazz said. “These are career musicians. They’ve dedicated their lives to this music.”
Guests are encouraged to embrace the event’s outlaw spirit – cowboy boots, Texas flair, and a laid-back atmosphere designed to feel both elevated and approachable.
“We really want to create that outlaw vibe,” Yellon said. “Red-and-white checkered tablecloths, Texas barbecue, incredible music – all of it.”
Captain Woody’s owners Russell Anderson and Shannon Wright, his head of operations Ericka Modzelewski, and her team have already helped transform the venue into a surprisingly ideal live music setting, as proven by last year’s Ellis Bullard event.
“In my mind, I thought, ‘I don’t know how this is going to work,’” Yellon admitted. “But it turned out killer.”
Outlaws for a Cause
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Doors open 3 p.m. • Music 4-9:30 p.m.
Captain Woody’s, 14 Executive Park Drive, Hilton Head Island
Featured Artists:
• Dale Watson and His Lonestars
• Ellis Bullard
• Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist of Band of Heathens
Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Autism Foundation.
General Admission: $150
Get Involved:
• Silent Auction Sponsorship opportunities available – contact info@outlawsforacause.org
• Donations accepted at outlawsforacause.org/donate
• Official merchandise available at outlawsforacause.org/merch
• Livestream available for those unable to attend in person
Connect:
OutlawsForACause.org
Instagram: @outlawsforacause
info@outlawsforacause.org
Building Something New
Though this is the organization’s first official event, Outlaws for a Cause already feels larger than a one-time festival. Behind the scenes, a growing team has been working for months on logistics, sponsorships, artist coordination, operations, branding, and promotion.
A key player in that effort is Austin-based music operations professional Shannon Ford, who works with major festival productions in places like Steamboat Springs and Key West. “She’s kind of the glue holding our wild minds together,” Yellon said.
Together, the team has been navigating the challenges of building a first-year festival from the ground up.
“Even with my experience in the music business, there are still parts of this that are brand new,” Nazz said. “We’re learning as we go.”
Still, both men say the project has felt unusually natural.
“We both have our hands in a lot of different things,” Nazz said. “But this is the easiest thing in the world to sit down and spend time on.”
That enthusiasm is contagious. The event will also include a livestream option, allowing viewers from around the country to support the cause remotely.
“We want people everywhere to be able to connect with this,” Nazz said.
More Than Music
At its heart, Outlaws for a Cause isn’t simply about concerts or fundraising. It’s about connection – lifelong friendships built through shared experiences and shared songs. It’s about creating something authentic in a world that often feels increasingly manufactured. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about using music to create opportunities, awareness, and support for families navigating autism.
For Yellon, the mission is deeply rooted in gratitude and purpose. “If you told me three or four years ago I’d be helping put together a music festival, I would’ve said there’s no way,” he admitted. “But now it just feels right.”
That sense of purpose is what ultimately gives the event its heartbeat.
Yes, there will be incredible music, barbecue, boots, and Texas outlaw energy. But underneath all of it lies something far more meaningful: the belief that music has the power to unite people, inspire generosity, and leave a lasting impact. And for two college friends who simply loved discovering great music together decades ago, that may be the most beautiful full-circle moment of all.