Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins Reveals ALS Diagnosis, Launches Foundation

Hopkins (Photo: Debby Wong, Shutterstock.com)

JOHN DRISKELL "HOP" HOPKINS, a founding member, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter for WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE's ZAC BROWN BAND, revealed in the video message on FRIDAY (5/20) that he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as LOU GEHRIG's disease, in DECEMBER of 2021. Surrounded by the band and tour opener CAROLINE JONES, the 51-year-old HOPKINS said in the short video that after years of noticing balance issues and stiffness in his hands, he sought medical advice and, "after careful analysis by some of the country’s top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS.

"Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing going forward," he continued. "God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come," he added, gesturing to the bandmates around him.

ALS, which currently has no cure or effective treatment, is a progressive, neurological disease that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement, including those that control speaking, eating, mobility, and breathing. HOPKINS has launched a research initiative called HOP ON A CURE FOUNDATION. Find more info and donate here.

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