John Driskell Hopkins on Battling ALS While Touring With Zac Brown Band

John Driskell Hopkins on Battling ALS While Touring With Zac Brown Band
Recording artist John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band performs onstage during the 2016 iHeartCountry Festival at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, on April 30, 2016. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Jessamyn Dodd
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John Driskell Hopkins, a founding member of country music group Zac Brown Band, has continued to perform with the band despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and he’s also focused on raising awareness and fundraising to find a cure.

Mr. Hopkins, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease in 2021. Reflecting on his journey, he told Fox News Digital about the path to his diagnosis, recounting visits to multiple neurologists.

“My bluegrass hand was—this hand was still doing great and this hand was slowing down,” he said, referring to his left and right hands, respectively. “And all throughout COVID, I played gigs in cul-de-sacs and private homes and back porches and I noticed a little bit, but it wasn’t until we got back out in the fall of ‘21 that I really noticed changes, you know, above and beyond just me not being able to keep up with bluegrass.”

He revealed his diagnosis to his fans in a YouTube video, surrounded by his bandmates.

“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 said.

ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the gradual deterioration and loss of voluntary muscle control, according to the ALS Association. This condition is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it in the 1930s.

As ALS progresses, individuals may experience muscle weakness, stiffness, twitching, and eventually paralysis, affecting their ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. While the exact cause of ALS is not fully understood, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

There is currently no cure for ALS, and treatment options focus on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and providing support for individuals and their families. Research into ALS continues in hopes of finding effective therapies and ultimately a cure.

Progression of Symptoms

The disease has affected Mr. Hopkins’ voice and balance, although its progression has been gradual, he told Fox News Digital. Despite these challenges, he continues to perform.
In a stride toward combating ALS, Mr. Hopkins established Hop On A Cure in May 2022, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pioneering research into ALS and related motor neuron diseases.

“Hop On A Cure is a dream that we have to fund research and, selfishly, to save me. But also, on a grander scale, to provide the research funding needed to combat all motor neuron disease, not just whatever is called specifically ALS, but also Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia,” he said. “There are so many motor neuron diseases under this umbrella that need research and funding and need to be fixed.”

Mr. Hopkins’ ALS diagnosis has significantly affected his family, including his wife of nearly 16 years, Jennifer, and their three daughters. Discussions about the future prognosis of the disease have been necessary, he said, acknowledging the uncertainties of ALS.

He spoke to CBS News in 2022 about his worries for the future.

“I worry about what it means to her,” he said, referring to his wife. “'Cause I don’t wanna ruin her adult life. This is the most beautiful woman in the world. She could find anyone tomorrow. But I don’t wanna burden this one.”

Mr. Hopkins receives strong support from his loved ones, including his daughters, who actively participate in raising awareness for ALS, he said. He remains determined to contribute to finding a cure and inspire others facing challenges.

The Epoch Times reached out to Mr. Hopkins for comment.

Jessamyn Dodd
Jessamyn Dodd
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Jessamyn Dodd is an experienced TV news anchor, reporter, and digital journalist covering entertainment, politics, and crime.