Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins reveals ALS diagnosis
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By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Musician John Driskell Hopkins, founding member and bass player for the Zac Brown Band, confirmed Friday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The multitalented Hopkins – who plays guitar, banjo and ukulele, while also providing backup vocals for the Zac Brown Band in addition to his own solo efforts – announced his diagnosis in a video message with his bandmates by his side, the “Today” show reported.
“Over the past several years, I’ve noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands,” Hopkins, 51, said in the video.
“After careful analysis by some of the country’s top neurologists, I’ve 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. God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come,” he added.
The Zac Brown Band is currently on the road for the Out in the Middle Tour, whose namesake track, “Out in the Middle,” currently sits at No. 35 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, Billboard reported.
“The technology and research around ALS treatments has been advancing, but we still don’t have a cure,” ZBB lead singer Zac Brown stated in the emotional video.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cause that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.
According to als.org, nearly 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS per year, with an average life expectancy of between two and five years, Billboard reported.
Hopkins also used his video address to launch the Hop on a Cure foundation, encouraging viewers to seize on his nickname and text “Hop” to 345-345 to make a donation toward ALS research.
John Driskell Hopkins SOUTH WALTON, FL - JANUARY 12: Singer/Songwriter John Driskell Hopkins performs at Old Florida Fish House during the 9th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival - Day 1 on January 12, 2018 in South Walton Beach, Florida. (Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images) (R. Diamond/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins ORANGE BEACH, AL - JUNE 05: John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band performs at The Amphitheater at the Wharf on June 5, 2014 in Orange Beach, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28: John Driskell Hopkins performs at the 96th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting at The Ellipse in President’s Park on November 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images) (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 30: John Driskell Hopkins and Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band attend the 60th Annual BMI Country Awards at BMI on October 30, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)
John Driskell Hopkins LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 19: Musician John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band performs onstage during the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 19, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
John Driskell Hopkins MORRISON, CO - MAY 09: John Driskell Hopkins performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 9, 2013 in Morrison, Colorado. (Photo by Jason G. Bahr/WireImage) (Jason G. Bahr/WireImage via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins Musician John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band attends Live Nation's celebration of the 4th annual National Concert Week at Live Nation on April 30, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 23: Musician John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band performs on stage at Taylor Guitars booth at NAMM Show - Day 3 at Anaheim Convention Center on January 23, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic) (Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band performs onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
John Driskell Hopkins NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 10: John Driskell Hopkins performs onstage for Georgia On My Mind at Ryman Auditorium on May 10, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images) (Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: John Driskell Hopkins and Dionne Farris perform at SiriusXM+Pandora Playback With John Driskell Hopkins on December 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage) (PRINCE WILLIAMS/WireImage via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 17: (Left to Right) John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band), Courtney White, Tracy Gershon, Alicia Warwick, George Flanigen and Leslie DiPiero attend the Grammy Nashville Chapter Block Party on May 17, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ed Rode/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) (Ed Rode/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
John Driskell Hopkins John Driskell Hopkins performs during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, on November 28, 2018 (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28: John Driskell Hopkins (L) and Joe Gransden attend the 96th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting at The Ellipse in President’s Park on November 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images) (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 30: Recording artists Zac Brown (L) and John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band perform onstage during the 2016 iHeartCountry Festival at The Frank Erwin Center on April 30, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
John Driskell Hopkins ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 01: (L-R) John Driskell Hopkins, Clay Cook, Zac Brown and Jimmy De Martini of the Zac Brown Band perform the Star Spangled Banner before the Detroit Red Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Zac Brown (L) and Zac Brown Band perform onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
John Driskell Hopkins LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 04: John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band attends the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images) (Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: John Driskell Hopkins and Dionne Farris attend SiriusXM+Pandora Playback With John Driskell Hopkins on December 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage) (PRINCE WILLIAMS/WireImage via Getty Images)
John Driskell Hopkins NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 27: Musicians John Driskell Hopkins (L) and Clay Cook (2nd from R) of musical group Zac Brown Band attend the GRAMMY Gift Lounge during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for NARAS ) (Brad Barket/Getty Images for NARAS)