GRAMMY WINNER JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS OF ZAC BROWN BAND ENLISTS YACHT ROCK REVUE ON NEW ALBUM 

LET’S GET FROSTY!

SMOOTH NEW INTERPRETATIONS OF 12 WINTERY CLASSICS
PERFECT FOR CRUISING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 28 ON INVASION MERCH

John Driskell Hopkins (Hop) is most well known as a founding member, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter of the GRAMMY Award-winning Zac Brown Band. When Hop is off the road with Zac Brown Band, he is busy writing and producing in his Brighter Shade Studios in Atlanta. Hop loves Christmas and is releasing his fourth holiday album in 2023 titled Let’s Get Frosty!

Hop started doing research for this record that would capture the smooth sounds of the 70’s and 80’s and he enlisted Yacht Rock Revue. Additional features on the album include Amos Lee and Debby Boone. Let’s Get Frosty! will give the holiday season a breath of fresh sea-breeze.

While in the middle of producing the record, in December 2021, Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS. In May 2022, John announced his diagnosis to the public and he and his wife, Jennifer, launched Hop On A Cure Foundation. Hop On A Cure is committed to supporting research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope.  Hopkins continues to be active in Zac Brown Band, who just announced their 2024 US tour with Kenny Chesney.

John Driskell Hopkins – Bio

The musical career of John Driskell Hopkins spans more than 20 years. As a member of several rock bands, Hopkins first rooted himself in the Atlanta music scene in 1995 — but he is most well-known as a founding member, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter of the GRAMMY Award-winning Zac Brown Band.

Hopkins became a founding member of the Zac Brown Band (ZBB) in 2005 as a bass player and has enjoyed engineering and songwriting credits on hit songs including “Toes,” “It’s Not OK,” and “Sic Em On A Chicken,” from the triple-platinum selling record The Foundation, as well as “Nothing,” “I Play The Road,” and “Settle Me Down,” from the platinum selling record, You Get What You Give. Hopkins also co-wrote the second single from the Zac Brown Band’s third platinum album, Uncaged, entitled “Goodbye in Her Eyes” — which was the group’s ninth Billboard No. 1  single. Hopkins met Zac Brown while hosting an open mic night at the Atlanta. Over the next several years, they remained friends and with Hopkins lending a production hand, they released the first Zac Brown album, Home Grown, in 2004. 

As ZBB continues to garner critical and public success through numerous awards — including three GRAMMY Awards — Hopkins continues to share the spotlight on stage with his band of fellow songwriters and friends. He has added the title of multi-instrumentalist to his ZBB resume, playing Banjo on the single “Homegrown,’’ which became their 11th No. 1 hit on the Billboard country charts in March 2015, from the album Jekyll and Hyde. Hopkins is also a contributing writer on that album’s second single, “Heavy Is The Head” featuring Chris Cornell, which debuted at No. 37 on Billboard mainstream rock chart — marking their first appearance on that chart. The band played both singles as musical guests on “Saturday Night Live” on March 7, 2015.

In 2019, the film “Adolescence” was released, directed by Ashley Avi. Hopkins plays the role of guitarist/sing “Spider,” alongside Tommy Flannagan (“Sons of Anarchy”) as a member of The Bloody Wolves of Venice — a rock band created for the film which plays original music created and sung by Hopkins. A hard rock EP of this music was released in January 2019.  Hopkins can also be seen and heard in the 2015 internationally-released film “Careful What You Wish For,” featuring Nick Jonas, Paul Sorvin and Dermot Mulroney, produced by Elizabeth Allen. Having always been heavily involved in theatre throughout high school, he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in General Theatre.  

In 2015, Hopkins was elected as an advisor to the Recording Academy, Atlanta Chapter, and was subsequently voted in to a Governor Seat for two consecutive terms from 2015-2019. In 2019, he  became a National Trustee for The Recording Academy and will hold that office until 2021.

In late summer, 2015, Hopkins fulfilled a dream when he collaborated with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra on a Christmas album entitled, In The Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays. Featuring 12 tracks of timeless holiday tunes, the album features soaring arrangements and wonderful special guests such as the Indigo Girls, Balsam Range, and actress/singer extraordinaire Laura Bell Bundy. The album was released in November 2015, and a vinyl edition was released in 2016.

In 2017, Hopkins released his second holiday album, You Better Watch Out, a collaboration with The Joe Gransden Big Band featuring special guests including: Aoife O’Donovan, Bela Fleck, and Clay Cook and Daniel de los Reyes (of the Zac Brown Band). His third holiday album, entitled Our Finest Gifts, will be released in November 2019 — this time he collaborated with ATL Collective, and it features special guests such as: Trombone Shorty, Ruby Velle, Dionne Farris, David Ryan Harris, Jason Eskridge and Maureen Murphy. 

When he’s not touring, Hopkins works out of his Brighter Shade Studios songwriting and producing a growing crop of talent. Hop continues to perform at music festivals and venues across the country with his original six-piece band, The John Driskell Hopkins Band, which includes: Mike Rizzi on drums/vocals; Sean McIntyre on bass/vocals; Leah Calvert on fiddle/vocals; Greg Earnest on banjo; and Brian Bisky on keyboard/vocals. There are 11 episodes available of Hopkins’ ongoing Podcast, “Under The Influence with John Driskell Hopkins” on iTunes — most of which were recorded while on the road with other bandmates or fellow tourmates. Another favorite activity is taking his Harley out for a lap of the city du jour. 

Hopkins shares his life, on and off the road, with his amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS RELEASES NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM WITH THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND

You Better Watch Out - From John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band, with the Joe Gransden Big Band

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 15, 2016

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS RELEASES NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT
WITH THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND
Featured Artists To Include BĂ©la Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan, Joe Gransden,
Daniel De Los Reyes and Clay Cook

ALBUM RECORDED AT HOPKINS’ NEW BRIGHTER SHADE STUDIOS

HOLIDAY SHOWS TO INCLUDE PERFORMANCES WITH
ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA AND JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND
Callanwolde Holiday Gala, Red Sky Tapas and
Kennesaw State University’s Morgan Concert Hall

ATLANTA — Today, John Driskell Hopkins (founding member of the Zac Brown Band) has released his second holiday album, entitled You Better Watch Out, with The Joe Gransden Big Band. This follows the success of In the Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays, released in 2015 with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra (and on vinyl in 2016). You Better Watch Out is available immediately for purchase or download on johndriskellhopkins.com, and will be available for download and purchase at additional sites — including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Pandora — beginning Friday, November 24.

Hopkins will also perform three holiday shows this season, including the annual Callanwolde Holiday Gala on Thursday, November 30, at 8 p.m. with Katie Deal, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble and The Joe Grandsen Big Band; at Red Sky Tapas on Sunday, December 3 at 7 p.m. with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra; and at Kennesaw State University’s Morgan Concert Hall on Thursday, December 14 at 8 p.m. with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.

Recorded and mixed at Hopkins’ new studio — Brighter Shade Studios — You Better Watch Out will feature appearances by musicians including BĂ©la Fleck (“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”), Joe Gransden (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”), Aoife O’Donovan (“Santa Baby”), Daniel De Los Reyes (“Donde Esta Santa Claus?”) and Clay Cook (“Here Comes Santa Claus”).

“Brighter Shade Studios is a space I look forward to making music in for the rest of my life. For me, it is very creative and comfortable — I like that it’s private, yet functional on a professional level,” said John Driskell Hopkins. “When I’m in this space, I feel as if I’ve transported to another place, another world. I plan to record my music there, as well as the music of my favorite musicians, friends and family. It’s the kind of spot I’ll be using as a producer, writer and engineer — all facets of my musical life. This is where I want to hone my craft and continue to actively contribute to the Atlanta music community.”

You Better Watch Out is the first album to come from this new incarnation of Brighter Shade Studios. Hopkins has also recorded Joe Gransden’s holiday album (coming soon), and will be recording Katie Deal’s new album, among other projects. The studio, a stunning and expansive 2500 square feet, includes an oversized, flexible-use main recording space large enough to hold a 30-piece orchestra. The space also boasts a voice-over booth, machine and mixing room, lounge and full-service bar — made of Sapele (from Taylor Guitars) with customized song lyrics carved into the wood. The space is garnished with hallmarks of Hopkins esteemed career, including guitars, awards, photos and mementos from his musical journey.

NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS AND THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND

*Available immediately at johndriskellhopkins.com

  1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
  2. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (featuring BĂ©la Fleck) WATCH VIDEO
  3. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” WATCH VIDEO
  4. “Santa Baby” (featuring Aoife O’Donovan) WATCH VIDEO
  5. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (featuring Joe Gransden)
  6. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (featuring Clay Cook)
  7. “Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season”
  8. “Sing a Kris Kringle Jingle”
  9. “Dónde Está Santa Claus?” (featuring Daniel De Los Reyes)
  10. “Zat You, Santa Claus?”
  11. “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas”
  12. “The Man with the Bag”

HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Callanwolde Holiday Gala

Thursday, November 30 | 8 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Katie Deal
Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble
The Joe Gransden Big Band

Red Sky Tapas
Sunday, December 3 | 7 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Atlanta Pops Orchestra

Kennesaw State University | Morgan Concert Hall
In The Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays
Thursday, December 14 | 8 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Atlanta Pops Orchestra

* * *

WATCH VIDEO: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (featuring BĂ©la Fleck)

WATCH VIDEO: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

WATCH VIDEO: “Santa Baby” (featuring Aoife O’Donovan)

# # #

 

Media Contact:

Melissa A.E. Sanders, Tadpole Communications

404.909.6726 | Melissa@TadpoleComm.net

 

They raised $85,000 for charity the night of the I-85 collapse

By: Jennifer Brett

“Our whole goal was, how can we make an impact?” Patrick Gahan said.

The March 30 fundraiser was just one example of the organization’s work, and the impressive turnout exemplifies its supporters’ dedication.

As the event was held right near the affected portion of the highway, some folks actually abandoned their cars and walked or hailed rides to make it.

Erin Alvey O’Sullivan and Kelsey Wingert at the Enduring Hearts fundraiser. Photos provided to the AJC

The evening featured performances from John Driskell Hopkins and Erin Alvey O’Sullivan and live and silent auctions. Celebrity guests included former Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, New York Giants wide receiver and University of Georgia alum Tavarres King and Kansas City Chiefs and UGA alum Chris Conley (who also gave an acoustic guitar performance).

For details on the research Enduring Hearts helps fund, its resources for families and its impressive roster of medical and scientific advisers see enduringhearts.org.

Full Article: http://buzz.blog.ajc.com/2017/05/04/they-raised-85000-for-charity-the-night-of-the-i-85-collapse/

Hop’s Playlist

A few of my favorites.

  1. Tomorrow Brighter Shade 4:30
  2. I Will Lay Me Down feat. Zac Brown John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range 3:39

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MerleFest 2017 to spotlight new talent

Excerpt:

John Driskell Hopkins is best known as a founding member, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter for the Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band. He has been performing since the ‘90s with Brighter Shade, a rock band he founded. Later, he began songwriting and performing with Zac Brown. Hopkins co-wrote the chart-topping single “Toes” and won a Grammy for Best Country Album with the band for 2013’s “Uncaged.” He also co-wrote “It’s Not OK,” “I Play the Road” and “Nothing” among others. On tour with the Zac Brown Band, Hopkins began as the bass player but now plays the guitar and banjo.

In 2012, he released an original record called “Daylight,” a collaboration with Balsam Range. In 2015, Hopkins released a holiday album, “In the Spirit – A Celebration of the Holidays,” collaborating with the legendary Atlanta Pops Orchestra and featuring guests such as Indigo Girls, Balsam Range, and Laura Bell Bundy. This year, Hopkins brings his band, John Driskell Hopkins Band, for its first MerleFest appearance.

John Driskell Hopkins is also an actor, who graduated from Florida State University with a degree in general theatre in 1993. His first film, “Careful What You Wish For” (2015), starred Nick Jonas, Isabel Lucas, and Paul Sorvino. He was also in the feature film “Adolescence.”

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Full Article: http://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/merlefest-to-spotlight-new-talent/article_5331391e-b06a-587e-a24c-ec43ffc04206.html

CONCERT TO BE STREAMED LIVE, NATIONALLY ON STAGEIT EVENT TO BENEFIT ENDURING HEARTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2016

ZAC BROWN BAND’S JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS

AND MEMBERS OF ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA

TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE VISTA ROOM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

CONCERT TO BE STREAMED LIVE, NATIONALLY ON STAGEIT

EVENT TO BENEFIT ENDURING HEARTS

ATLANTA, GA — On Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m., singer/songwriter John Driskell Hopkins (of Zac Brown Band) and members of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra — Atlanta Pops Ensemble — will perform a StageIt holiday concert at The Vista Room to benefit the non-profit Enduring Hearts. Enduring Hearts raises critical funding for pediatric heart transplants so the hearts children receive operate as efficiently and effectively as possible without needing a second heart transplant. It’s a cause near and dear to Hopkins.

Tickets for the December 18 event are $50 and include a three-course meal and the concert — a live auction will also take place with prizes courtesy of Hoffman & Associates, LLC. In addition, 10 percent of proceeds from all merchandise sales will also be donated to Enduring Hearts.

Viewers on StageIt will also be able to bid on the live auction and, for a $25 donation, will be entered in a raffle to win one of 5 sets of a John Driskell Hopkins autographed CD (Hopkins and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra’s In the Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays) and songbook (The Moose & the Golden Spike).

Live Charity Auction Prizes:

  • Two tickets and a suite at Phillips Arena with limo service to/from event — may be used for a Hawks game or live concert (based on availability)
  • Two-nights of accommodations for two at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, MS

“This is a unique organization that is directly impacting the lives of kids (and their families) who have had to undergo heart transplants,” said Hopkins. “I believe music transcends all things, so to be able to partner with such an inspiring organization in its fundraising efforts through music is both an honor and privilege for me.”

“John was kind enough to play at golf tournament earlier this year, and, more recently, he lent his many talents to create a songbook with Always Saturday, a group of artists who create songs and stories for worthy causes,” said Enduring Hearts Executive Director Ankur Chatterjee. “We are truly blessed to have the love and support of a big-hearted, creative artist like John.”

The songbook, entitled The Moose & the Golden Spike, is an illustrated storybook with downloadable, themed songs featuring Hopkins, the Zac Brown Band singer-songwriter, as a storyteller. The goal of the project is to fill the hearts of 500 heart transplant kids across the country with songbook gift packs. The books will be for sale at the concert and online at Friends Fill Hearts.

“Music has the power to heal,” said Atlanta Pops Orchestra Guest Conductor Tom Gibson. “John has been a great partner to us, so we can’t think of a better way to thank him than to be a part of supporting this great fundraiser for kids in need. We hope music fans from all over Georgia will come out to not only enjoy a great holiday concert, but to also support a great cause.”

* * *

DINNER & A CONCERT WITH JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS

AND THE ATLANTA POPS ENSEMBLE

THE VISTA ROOM (at Napoleon’s)

John Driskell Hopkins

Atlanta Pops Ensemble

Sunday, December 18, 2016

5:00 p.m. — Dinner

6:00 p.m. — Concert

6:45-7:15pm — StageIt Live Stream

TICKETS: $50 here (includes 3-course meal and concert)

STAGEIT: Concert to be streamed live, online here

* * *

ABOUT THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA

The Atlanta Pops Orchestra is a premier provider of live orchestral music programming for the state of Georgia, the Southeastern U.S. and beyond. With a rich history spanning more than seven decades, the orchestra has captivated audiences throughout the world. Equally adept performing pop, jazz, folk, hip-hop, light classical, country and more, the Atlanta Pops challenges the expectation of what an orchestra is capable of delivering. MORE

ABOUT ENDURING HEARTS

Enduring Hearts’ mission is to fund important and innovative research to increase the longevity of pediatric heart transplants, and improve the quality of life for transplant recipients. One in four children receiving a heart transplant will need another within the first five years. Enduring Hearts works every day to better these odds and improve the lives of heart transplant families. MORE

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Media Contact:

Melissa A.E. Sanders, Watkins McGowan

404.909.6726 | msanders@watkinsmcgowan.com

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