Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins on Life, Music and ALS Diagnosis
musician john driskell hopkins sits down with paige kornblue for an exclusive backstage interview to discuss life at home and on the road plus helpING others amid als diagnosis
Don’t quit.
Of all of the songs, stories and messages Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins shares with the world through music, that’s the one that seems to be on his mind the most these days.
“Don’t quit. You cannot quit. If you want a life in music, you have to decide that that’s what you’re going to do and you can’t quit. When you get diagnosed with a life-threatening disease that they have no cure for, that’s no reason to quit,” says Hopkins.
Photo Courtesy: Jolie Loren Photography
The vocalist, bassist, guitarist and a founding member of the Zac Brown Band recently learned that he has ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The diagnosis was devastating for Hopkins and his family but something they decided to face head on.
Shortly after the diagnosis and with incredible support from family, friends and fellow Zac Brown Band members and crew, the Hopkins quickly worked to create Hop on a Cure, a foundation committed to supporting research to prevent, reverse and cure ALS.
Photo Courtesy: Hopkins Family
“It does put an egg timer on your head and you can’t really read it. You don’t know how much mobility time you have versus how quickly or slowly the disease could progress. We have been aware of living every moment and getting involved in all the activities together as a family that we can. We’re praying for the best and planning for the worst,” says Hopkins.
Hop on a Cure momentum and making music on and off the stage with the Zac Brown Band and his own band, The John Driskell Hopkins Band, seem to provide the best medicine for Hop.
“It makes me feel normal to be on stage and that’s a real positive part. A lot of treatment is laced in positivity. You have to have a positive outlook and you have to be surrounded by people that bring you up. I’ve got that here. I’ve got people that are letting me do my thing and I’m enjoying their company and just this life that we’ve built,” says Hopkins.
Photo Courtesy: PROJECTBLACKBOXX
Hopkins says his wife, Jennifer, their three daughters, bandmates and fans help lift him up through it all.
And while he can’t jump on stage like he used to or move his fingers as fast as he’d like on the guitar, Hopkins says he’s doing alright.
“As long as I’m singing it and I’m bringing it, I’ll be out here,” adds Hopkins.
John Driskell Hopkins with wife, Jennifer (Photo Courtesy of the Hopkins Family)
Help Hop on a Cure!
Donate or purchase Hop on a Cure t-shirts + MORE!
Support the Hop on a Cure silent auction (ending May 1 at 8.30pm ET) featuring a signed Taylor Swift guitar, Zac Brown Band party package, rare bourbon, tons of fabulous golf outings, vacation rentals + much, much more!
A 50/50 helicopter golf ball drop raffle - CLOSEST TO THE HOLE TAKES 50% of the pot! ANYONE CAN ENTER!
zac brown band post-game hop on a cure benefit concert following the Cincinnati Reds vs. Brewers game on friday, June 2nd . in conjunction with major league baseball’s Lou Gehrig Day, celebrated annually across the league, a portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold will benefit the hop on a cure foundation to fight als.
PK’s conversation with John Driskell Hopkins backstage as the Zac Brown Band toured South Florida.
PK’s one-on-one interview with John Driskell Hopkins and Hop on a Cure
