John Driskell Hopkins founding member of Zac Brown Band reveals ALS diagnosis

John Driskell Hopkins, the founding member of Zac Brown Band, has been diagnosed with ALS. The lead bassist of the renowned American country music band revealed the news of his ALS diagnosis in a video shared on the band's official YouTube channel on Friday.

Hopkins, 51, announced the news to viewers saying that he had some 'tough news to share.'

Although Hopkins' is on the bass guitar, he has served in the band as a multi-instrumentalist and a talented lyricist and vocalist. He has been associated with Zac Brown Band since its inception in 2002.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a kind of progressive neuromuscular disease where the nervous system of the diagnosed person is gradually infected. As a result, the person suffers from weakening muscles and restricted physical function.

Hopkins shared that he observed the symptoms of his body imbalance and some stiffness in his hands over the past several years. After undergoing careful clinical analysis by some of the top neurologists in the country, he got to know of his ALS diagnosis.

In the video, Hopkins also told the viewers that his symptoms have been progressing slowly since the beginning. So, he is hopeful that they will continue to slow in progress in the future so that he will keep giving his rocking performance to the fantastic people of his band for many years to come.

Zac Brown, the band's lead singer, mentioned the advancing technology and research around ALS treatments. Although there is still no cure for this disease, they are hopeful. He thanked the fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support in curing ALS.

At the end of the video, the band was seen promoting the #HopOnACure program, which is a non-profit initiative by Hopkins to find the cure for ALS and provide treatment plans and recovery efforts for people diagnosed with the disease.