Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins announces ALS diagnosis

Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins revealed he's been diagnosed with ALS as he stood alongside bandmates from the country music group during a short video shared to the band's YouTube account.

The 51-year-old musician, who has served as a multi-intrumentalist with focus on the bass guitar, in addition to a powerful vocalist and lyricist since the band's inception in 2002, acknowledged he had difficult news for the band's massive fan base.

"I have tough news to share, and my brothers and sister have gathered to support me," he said in the minute-long clip, which was also posted on the band's Twitter account.

"Over the past several years, I've noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands. After careful analysis by some of the country's top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS.

"Because my symptoms have been slow progressing form 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."

Lead singer Zac Brown added, "The technology and research around ALS treatments has been advancing, but we still don't have a cure. Thanks so much for your prayers and helping us cure ALS."

The video ended with the band p... (Read more)

Tweets mentioned:

https://twitter.com/zacbrownband/status/1527667268947157003

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