Today's Country Hits

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins Diagnosed With ALS

Zac Brown Band bassist and songwriter John Driskell Hopkins has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Hopkins revealed the news to his fans on YouTube along with his band on Friday, May 20.

"I have tough news to share and my brothers and sister have gathered to support me," he shared in the clip featuring his bandmates, as well as tourmate Caroline Jones. "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 from 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," he added.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.

ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in a limb, or slurred speech. Eventually, ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease.

Hopkins also founded the Hop On A Cure foundation to help fund research a cure for ALS. The group encouraged their fans to help "Hop On A Cure" by texting Hop to 345-345 or by visiting http://hoponacure.org.

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Luke Combs Reveals 'Growin' Up' Tracklist, Including Duet With Miranda Lambert

Country star Luke Combs has revealed the track list of his upcoming third studio album, Growin' Up.

Growin' Up is set to drop on June 24 via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. The project will feature 12 tracks, including his latest No. 1 hit "Doin' This," and the newly released "Tomorrow Me." Growin' Up will also feature a collaboration with country superstar Miranda Lambert called "Outrunnin' Your Memory."

"I've been working on this album on and off for two and a half years now. It was sort of a crazy process through what COVID brought, and what that meant for our touring life last year," Combs shared in a press release. "It made me have to put a pause on this album for a second, but I'm just really stoked that it's finally coming out."

He added, "Working with Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton as a producer has been really great and I think that the fans are going to love these songs. I'm just excited to get them out and see what they think."

Growin' Up Track List:

1. Doin' This 2. Any Given Friday Night 3. The Kind Of Love We Make 4. On The Other Line 5. Outrunnin' Your Memory 6. Used To Wish I Was 7. Better Back When 8. Tomorrow Me 9. Ain't Far From It 10. Call Me 11. Middle Of Somewhere 12. Going, Going, Gone

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Craig Morgan Inducted Into U.S. Field Artillery Hall Of Fame

Country music entertainer and 17-year Army and Army Reserves veteran Craig Morgan was inducted into the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame in recognition of his great contribution to the Field Artillery branch.

The United States Field Artillery Association [USFAA] class of 2022 included 33 past honorees of the USFAA Music Tattoo and four living Medal of Honor Awardees who served in the Field Artillery.

Morgan was inducted at a ceremony held on Wednesday, May 18, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was previously stationed during his military service.

He shares stories from all aspects of his life, including serving at Fort Sill, in his upcoming personal memoir. The book, titled "God, Family, Country," will be released on September 27 in partnership with Blackstone Publishing.

The book is available for pre-order at https://blackstonepublishing.com/craigmorgan.

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