One on One With Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins
With Zac Brown Band’s “From the Hearth Tour” in full swing, I went backstage with one of many band’s founding members, John Driskell Hopkins, to debate life at residence and on the street, plus his plans to remain sturdy and assist others amid his ALS analysis.
“Don’t stop.”
Of all of the songs, tales and messages Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins shares with the world by music, that’s the one which appears to be on his thoughts essentially the most today.
“Don’t stop. You can not stop. In order for you a life in music, it’s important to determine that that’s what you’re going to do and you’ll’t stop. Once you get identified with a life-threatening illness that they don’t have any remedy for, that’s no purpose to stop,” says Hopkins.
The vocalist, bassist, guitarist and a founding member of the Zac Brown Band just lately discovered that he has ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative illness that impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire. ALS is sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s Illness.
The analysis was devastating for Hopkins and his household however one thing they determined to face head on.
Shortly after the analysis and with unbelievable help from household, pals and fellow Zac Brown Band members and crew, the Hopkins rapidly labored to create Hop on a Remedy, a basis dedicated to supporting analysis to forestall, reverse and remedy ALS.
“It does put an egg timer in your head and you’ll’t actually learn it. You don’t understand how a lot mobility time you might have versus how rapidly or slowly the illness may progress. We have now been conscious of residing each second and getting concerned in all of the actions collectively as a household that we are able to. We’re praying for the very best and planning for the worst,” says Hopkins.
Hop on a Remedy momentum and making music on and off the stage with the Zac Brown Band and his personal band, The John Driskell Hopkins Band, appear to supply the very best medication for Hop.
“It makes me really feel regular to be on stage and that’s an actual optimistic half. Loads of therapy is laced in positivity. You need to have a optimistic outlook and it’s important to be surrounded by those that convey you up. I’ve bought that right here. I’ve bought individuals which can be letting me do my factor and I’m having fun with their firm and simply this life that we’ve constructed,” says Hopkins.
Hopkins says his spouse, Jennifer, their three daughters, bandmates and followers assist raise him up by all of it.
And whereas he can’t soar on stage like he used to or transfer his fingers as quick as he’d like on the guitar, Hopkins says he’s doing alright.
“So long as I’m singing it and I’m bringing it, I’ll be out right here,” says Hopkins.
Click on right here to be taught extra about Hop on a Remedy and help upcoming occasions.
Take heed to Paige’s full interview with John Driskell Hopkins by way of the The Paige Kornblue Present podcast
