John Driskell Hopkins, a founding member of Zac Brown Band, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) in December 2021. In response, John and his wife Jennifer founded the charity Hop on a Cure to fund research on the disease.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ninety four point nine the bill. Hello, it's anti Ward
Giving Tuesday today. I've got two of my favorite people
on the line with me, Jen and John Driscoll Hopkins
from Hop on a Cure. You also know Hop from
the Zach Brown Band. Hey, guys, how are you great?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:18):
I'm so good. I'm so glad you're both here to
talk about Hop on a Cure on this Giving Tuesday.
This incredible organization you guys started when hop was diagnosed
with ALS. You have helped so many families and you
are continuing the mission to support research and help maybe
reverse and cure als. Jen, I'm gonna start with you
(00:40):
if you could just explain a little bit about Hop
on a Cure, how it came to be well.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
When John was diagnosed with ALS in December of twenty
twenty one, our lives were kind of turned upside down,
and once we settled into what that meant, John decided
it was kind of his responsibility to use his platform
(01:05):
with Zach Brown Band and his own personal stage presence
and make people aware of ALS. It's a disease that's
not really talked about much. We all did the ice
Bucket challenge, but I bet A lot of people don't
even really remember what they did it for, and it
(01:25):
was for ALS. So we decided to create a nonprofit
and our mission is to raise awareness as well as
critical funds for research for ALS.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
It is.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
It's considerably underfunded.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
There's so many.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Trials for cancer and so many other difficult diseases, but
historically not a lot has happened with ALS. So we
are on the journey to accelerate that. We like to
say we're accelerating the progress. There's a lot more progress
being made, especially in the last five years. It's incredible
(02:11):
how much progress is being made, but it's still it's
still terminal, and it's more science is really needed so
we can figure this thing out.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Well, you guys are headed in the right direction. You've
done so much and I think I read that you
that you've raised over three million dollars for ALS research
since she started hop on a cure. Is that right?
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Well, actually it's a little more than that.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
We will have by the end of the year, we
will have given away three million and grant and funding
different research projects, projects and trials. So yeah, we're incredibly
proud of you know, it's been just two and a
half years really that we've been doing this, and you know,
(03:00):
we've been surrounded by some amazing people that have walked
this journey with us. But you know, John and I
had no experience with running a nonprofit, a charitable organization,
and we certainly aren't doctors or researchers.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
But we have really.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Dug dug in and you know, done what we can.
And my husband, I'm so proud of him for putting
aside how difficult this is and being so strong for
his family and for other house out there people with ALS.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
I really think that he has given new light.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
To this disease and and anytime he meets people in
this community, they just light up so and feel not alone.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
And it is amazing all of the good that you've
done so far. So hop buddy, I have. I saw
you with the Zach Brown Band three different times this year,
and you were amazing.
Speaker 5 (04:04):
You've been business.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
I went to Charlotte, Atlanta, and I was in Nashville,
an amazing show, and I gotta be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Had I not.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Known that you were dealing with ALS, there was no
way anybody out in the audience could tell.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Well, sometimes I'm a little self conscious that people might
wonder what's wrong with me when I'm walking across the stage,
But in my position, I'm still pretty effective. I've had
to change the way that I played them songs, and
(04:49):
I can't sing every single part that I used to,
but I'm still singing it, and so I'm still bringing.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
It that You got to smile on your face too.
I know you're enjoying every minute of it.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
Yeah, I'm very grateful that, well, I have this incredibly
awful disease that it's so slow for me, and I'm
getting to enjoy lots of things that lots of other
people where they or just don't get the time to enjoy.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Well, I know that through what you've been through. We've
got a new song from you, called each Other, which
is a tribute to the togetherness and all of the folks.
You want to tell me a little about the song.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
It's a great time for this song because not only
is the video reminiscent of family dinners like Thanksgiving and
Christmas and all that, but it's also a time in
our country's history where we really need to embrace each
(06:11):
other and love each other and stop the division that
is plaguing us. So I'm hoping that people hear this
and have a moment to reflect on the person at
(06:32):
the grocery store that's pissing them off, or the guy
that cutting them off of the gas pomp, or you
know something in our daily stressful lives where we can
take a step back and say we need each other.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
We do.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
I love it. I love it so much. I cannot
wait to play it. And we have Giving Tuesday coming up,
which is an excellent opportunity for your fans and folks
to give to Hop on a Cure. Jim, could you
tell me a little about why folks need to Hop
on the Cure and donate on Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Sure, This Giving Tuesday, We're actually if you make a donation,
we're keeping track of who makes a donation, and we
are going to have a sweepstake and give four tickets.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
To the New Year's Eves that Brown Band.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Show at State Farm Arena.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Yes, so that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
That is super exciting. And they can donate at hop
on Acure dot org slash donuts dot org. That's right,
that's right. Hop on Cure dot.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
Tuesday is so cool because you've got by Friday where
you get all your Christmas shopping done, Yeah, and then whatever.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
You forgot you've got cyber Monday. And then whatever money
you have left, give it on Tuesday to.
Speaker 5 (08:00):
Your favorite charity, which should be hop on a Cure.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yes, then you can write.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Off your gift at the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Are you guys that of perfect?
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Are you guys selling the hop on a Cure socks
this year? I got those last year and those were
would be an excellent Christmas gift for someone with cold feet.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
I'm wearing them right now.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yes, we do have some, you know fits fits fits
still has them on their website, I believe so.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Yes, they are amazing.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I know, yes fitssocks dot com. And uh, they are
made of wool and they're super comfy and they're not
itchy wool.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
They're very soft wool and very supportive.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Yeah, they're the socks that my husband keeps trying to
steal from you. But thank goodness, his feet are bigger
than mine, so he cannot happen.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You know what, you know what to get him for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Good stot sucker exactly exactly. Well, listen, with the holidays
coming up, you got your annual Sounds of the Season
event coming up again at Roswell Cultural Art Center on
December the eighteenth. Such a good party.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
Yeah, it's gonna be amazing. I've got my band backing
me up, so we're going to be able to do
some of my songs like each other and some new
stuff we've been writing.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
And then we also will have a horn.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Section backing us up, so that classic Christmas sound will
be there for the Christmas songs. I think this is
gonna be a unique opportunity to get in the holiday spirit.
So if you're close to the Roswell area, this is
a great venue and I urge you to come out
(09:57):
and share your December eight with us.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
And you're gonna have two of our Zach Brown band
brothers there, Jimmy Dan Martini and Daniel Dela delo I
cannot say his name, hop Daniel, all right, let me
try it one more talking Daniel delos res I was
(10:21):
close right beautiful. But those guys are gonna be there,
and you always have some amazing other singers with you too,
So go to John Driscoll that's d R I s
K E L L. By the way, John Driscoll Hopkins
dot com to get those tickets. For the Sounds of
the Seasons unless it's already sold out, because you do that,
(10:43):
you tend to do that, you know, sell out your shows.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
Not yet, and Chloe Agnew is going to be there too,
So we do have a a big fun program plan.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Always fun with you guys, and hop you know. I
love yeah, and I'm just every time I get to
see your face, I am so blessed because you're a
wonderful human being, not only for the great music that
you have brought me through the years with your band
and with the Zach Brown Band, but just with your loving,
giving spirit. I mean, you get diagnosed with als and
(11:19):
your immediate reaction is what can I do to get
the word out to help other people going through this?
So please know how much the world loves you, and
every day you get prayers from me, my friend.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Thank you, Angie.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
We love you too, and I hate that we're not
in the studio with you, but I will send you
a selfie.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Oh please do. I love selfies and I still.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Have so you can see my face.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
I have some really good ones of me and you
over the years, So and listen, I'm gonna be there
ringing in the New Year with you for New Year's Eve. Jen,
I'll let you kiss him at midnight though, Okay. Thank you,
Thank you, Oh Jennifer and John Drisco Hawkins. Thank you
guys so much for stopping by. I'm so excited for
(12:09):
everything we can do for hop On a Cure and
everybody right now, and you just stop what you're doing.
Go to hop on Acure dot org slash donate, give
what you can and help this great cause
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Day when you read by
Ninety four point nine the bill. Hello, it's anti Ward
Giving Tuesday today. I've got two of my favorite people
on the line with me, Jen and John Driscoll Hopkins
from Hop on a Cure. You also know Hop from
the Zach Brown Band. Hey, guys, how are you great?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:18):
I'm so good. I'm so glad you're both here to
talk about Hop on a Cure on this Giving Tuesday.
This incredible organization you guys started when hop was diagnosed
with ALS. You have helped so many families and you
are continuing the mission to support research and help maybe
reverse and cure als. Jen, I'm gonna start with you
(00:40):
if you could just explain a little bit about Hop
on a Cure, how it came to be well.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
When John was diagnosed with ALS in December of twenty
twenty one, our lives were kind of turned upside down,
and once we settled into what that meant, John decided
it was kind of his responsibility to use his platform
(01:05):
with Zach Brown Band and his own personal stage presence
and make people aware of ALS. It's a disease that's
not really talked about much. We all did the ice
Bucket challenge, but I bet A lot of people don't
even really remember what they did it for, and it
(01:25):
was for ALS. So we decided to create a nonprofit
and our mission is to raise awareness as well as
critical funds for research for ALS.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
It is.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
It's considerably underfunded.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
There's so many.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Trials for cancer and so many other difficult diseases, but
historically not a lot has happened with ALS. So we
are on the journey to accelerate that. We like to
say we're accelerating the progress. There's a lot more progress
being made, especially in the last five years. It's incredible
(02:11):
how much progress is being made, but it's still it's
still terminal, and it's more science is really needed so
we can figure this thing out.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Well, you guys are headed in the right direction. You've
done so much and I think I read that you
that you've raised over three million dollars for ALS research
since she started hop on a cure. Is that right?
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Well, actually it's a little more than that.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
We will have by the end of the year, we
will have given away three million and grant and funding
different research projects, projects and trials. So yeah, we're incredibly
proud of you know, it's been just two and a
half years really that we've been doing this, and you know,
(03:00):
we've been surrounded by some amazing people that have walked
this journey with us. But you know, John and I
had no experience with running a nonprofit, a charitable organization,
and we certainly aren't doctors or researchers.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
But we have really.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Dug dug in and you know, done what we can.
And my husband, I'm so proud of him for putting
aside how difficult this is and being so strong for
his family and for other house out there people with ALS.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
I really think that he has given new light.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
To this disease and and anytime he meets people in
this community, they just light up so and feel not alone.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
And it is amazing all of the good that you've
done so far. So hop buddy, I have. I saw
you with the Zach Brown Band three different times this year,
and you were amazing.
Speaker 5 (04:04):
You've been business.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
I went to Charlotte, Atlanta, and I was in Nashville,
an amazing show, and I gotta be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Had I not.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Known that you were dealing with ALS, there was no
way anybody out in the audience could tell.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Well, sometimes I'm a little self conscious that people might
wonder what's wrong with me when I'm walking across the stage,
But in my position, I'm still pretty effective. I've had
to change the way that I played them songs, and
(04:49):
I can't sing every single part that I used to,
but I'm still singing it, and so I'm still bringing.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
It that You got to smile on your face too.
I know you're enjoying every minute of it.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
Yeah, I'm very grateful that, well, I have this incredibly
awful disease that it's so slow for me, and I'm
getting to enjoy lots of things that lots of other
people where they or just don't get the time to enjoy.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Well, I know that through what you've been through. We've
got a new song from you, called each Other, which
is a tribute to the togetherness and all of the folks.
You want to tell me a little about the song.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
It's a great time for this song because not only
is the video reminiscent of family dinners like Thanksgiving and
Christmas and all that, but it's also a time in
our country's history where we really need to embrace each
(06:11):
other and love each other and stop the division that
is plaguing us. So I'm hoping that people hear this
and have a moment to reflect on the person at
(06:32):
the grocery store that's pissing them off, or the guy
that cutting them off of the gas pomp, or you
know something in our daily stressful lives where we can
take a step back and say we need each other.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
We do.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
I love it. I love it so much. I cannot
wait to play it. And we have Giving Tuesday coming up,
which is an excellent opportunity for your fans and folks
to give to Hop on a Cure. Jim, could you
tell me a little about why folks need to Hop
on the Cure and donate on Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Sure, This Giving Tuesday, We're actually if you make a donation,
we're keeping track of who makes a donation, and we
are going to have a sweepstake and give four tickets.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
To the New Year's Eves that Brown Band.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Show at State Farm Arena.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Yes, so that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
That is super exciting. And they can donate at hop
on Acure dot org slash donuts dot org. That's right,
that's right. Hop on Cure dot.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
Tuesday is so cool because you've got by Friday where
you get all your Christmas shopping done, Yeah, and then whatever.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
You forgot you've got cyber Monday. And then whatever money
you have left, give it on Tuesday to.
Speaker 5 (08:00):
Your favorite charity, which should be hop on a Cure.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yes, then you can write.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Off your gift at the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Are you guys that of perfect?
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Are you guys selling the hop on a Cure socks
this year? I got those last year and those were
would be an excellent Christmas gift for someone with cold feet.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
I'm wearing them right now.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yes, we do have some, you know fits fits fits
still has them on their website, I believe so.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Yes, they are amazing.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I know, yes fitssocks dot com. And uh, they are
made of wool and they're super comfy and they're not
itchy wool.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
They're very soft wool and very supportive.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Yeah, they're the socks that my husband keeps trying to
steal from you. But thank goodness, his feet are bigger
than mine, so he cannot happen.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You know what, you know what to get him for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Good stot sucker exactly exactly. Well, listen, with the holidays
coming up, you got your annual Sounds of the Season
event coming up again at Roswell Cultural Art Center on
December the eighteenth. Such a good party.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
Yeah, it's gonna be amazing. I've got my band backing
me up, so we're going to be able to do
some of my songs like each other and some new
stuff we've been writing.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
And then we also will have a horn.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Section backing us up, so that classic Christmas sound will
be there for the Christmas songs. I think this is
gonna be a unique opportunity to get in the holiday spirit.
So if you're close to the Roswell area, this is
a great venue and I urge you to come out
(09:57):
and share your December eight with us.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
And you're gonna have two of our Zach Brown band
brothers there, Jimmy Dan Martini and Daniel Dela delo I
cannot say his name, hop Daniel, all right, let me
try it one more talking Daniel delos res I was
(10:21):
close right beautiful. But those guys are gonna be there,
and you always have some amazing other singers with you too,
So go to John Driscoll that's d R I s
K E L L. By the way, John Driscoll Hopkins
dot com to get those tickets. For the Sounds of
the Seasons unless it's already sold out, because you do that,
(10:43):
you tend to do that, you know, sell out your shows.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
Not yet, and Chloe Agnew is going to be there too,
So we do have a a big fun program plan.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Always fun with you guys, and hop you know. I
love yeah, and I'm just every time I get to
see your face, I am so blessed because you're a
wonderful human being, not only for the great music that
you have brought me through the years with your band
and with the Zach Brown Band, but just with your loving,
giving spirit. I mean, you get diagnosed with als and
(11:19):
your immediate reaction is what can I do to get
the word out to help other people going through this?
So please know how much the world loves you, and
every day you get prayers from me, my friend.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Thank you, Angie.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
We love you too, and I hate that we're not
in the studio with you, but I will send you
a selfie.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Oh please do. I love selfies and I still.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Have so you can see my face.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
I have some really good ones of me and you
over the years, So and listen, I'm gonna be there
ringing in the New Year with you for New Year's Eve. Jen,
I'll let you kiss him at midnight though, Okay. Thank you,
Thank you, Oh Jennifer and John Drisco Hawkins. Thank you
guys so much for stopping by. I'm so excited for
(12:09):
everything we can do for hop On a Cure and
everybody right now, and you just stop what you're doing.
Go to hop on Acure dot org slash donate, give
what you can and help this great cause
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Day when you read by
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.