Supporting Community Through the Outlaw Country Tradition

Ten local artists are teaming up for a fundraiser benefitting the Latino Community Association of Central Oregon and NeighborImpact. The event on Aug. 1 is called “Willie and Friends: Unbroken Circle.” It’s a community concert inspired by the outlaw country tradition pioneered by Willie Nelson and a generation of songwriters, poets, outlaws and highwomen who used music to tell stories and bring people together. Local artists will perform songwriter rounds, collaborative tributes and original music with an independent spirit. Performers include Oregon Fryer, Bend Bluegrass Collective, Johnny Bourbon, Cecila Voss, Punkwife and Phases and Strangers.

Oregon Fryer performs American Roots music with a twist of honky-tonk and rock ‘n roll. Credit: Oregon Fryer Facebook

Festival organizer Joe Estrada says he was inspired to do a benefit concert after having success with a Willie Nelson tribute in Februrary. Willie Nelson was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to conservative restrictions within the Nashville sound. Nelson released his version of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” in 1976 on his gospel album, “The Troublemaker.” It symbolizes an unbroken family bond with the hope of reuniting with loved ones in heaven.

“Willie, to me, is a living beacon of the power every single last one of us has to stand up for what we believe, to help our neighbors and to try to make the world a little bit better by doing what you can for your community regardless of how big or small your resources are,” Estrada explains.

The benefit concert will raise money through ticket sales and raffles. Estrada says Silver Moon is donating 100% of the ticket sales which will go to the Latino Community Association. That group supports local families with immigration services, health programs, workforce development and community engagement. Breedlove Guitars, Suttle Lake Lodge, Burn Boot Camp and Arrowleaf Hemp are donating raffle prizes. There will also be a virtual food drive which allows people to donate specific items online ahead of or at the event. Raffle money and the food donations will benefit NeighborImpact which assists low-income people with rent, energy bills, food, pre-kindergarten education and other resources. The nonprofit helps more than 55,000 households in Central Oregon each year.

Estrada says he chose those two nonprofits because, “It’s no secret that we are living in difficult, scary times and that many of our friends, family and neighbors are struggling right now. Struggling with ever rising costs, struggling with fear, struggling with helplessness and struggling with uncertainty from one day to the next. I know I have been feeling all of that, I know my wife has, and far too many of our friends and family.”

He says his love of Willie Nelson inspired him to take action. “The first and most enduring lesson you tend to learn when you become a fan of that music is that while you can always be angry at the injustice you see around you in the world, you can also try to do something about it too. Not just to live in the anger and hopelessness… You don’t need anyone’s permission to go out in the world and just try.”

Willie & Friends: Unbroken Circle
Sat, Aug 1 2-10pm 
Silver Moon Brewing 
24 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend 
bendticket.com/events/willie-friends-unbroken-circle-willie-nelson-tribute-fundraiser-8-1-2026
$17.59

Ways to donate:
NeighborImpact Online Food Drive Link: neighborimpact.jotform.com/251627182890058

NeighborImpact cash donations: 
neighborimpact.org/give-help/donate/

Create a recurring donation to LCA: latinocommunityassociation.org/get-involved/donate

This article appears in the Source July 23, 2026.