Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins has revealed on the band’s social media account that he’s been diagnosed with ALS.

Hopkins, who is a bassist and vocalist in the band, as well as one of its founding members, shared the news alongside his bandmates, sharing, “I have tough news to share and my brothers and sister have gathered to support me.”

“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,” he explained, “Because my symptoms have been slow-progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing going forward.”

He adds, “God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come.”

Zac Brown then notes, “the technology and research surrounding ALS research has been advancing, but we still don’t have a cure,” adding, “Thanks so much for your prayers and support in helping us cure ALS.”

The band then offered up a way for fans to help, via text HOP to 345-345 or through this website.

Source: Zac Brown Band

Ellen DeGeneres is wrapping up her daytime talk show, and had good friend Brad Paisley stop by for a final interview, where he revealed the surprising gift he got wife Kimberly Williams Paisley for their recent 19^th anniversary.

Ellen showed a picture of the gift, which was a stool in the shape of an ear of corn with a bite taken out of it.

“She’s got this thing we call a she-shack, and it’s chicken themed, so she’s got a stuffed chicken stool rest thing — it’s not a real chicken, thank God — but it’s eating the ear of corn,” Brad explained. “Such a great anniversary gift for anyone who’s thinking about doing that.

After Ellen quipped, “Anyone wanting to end the marriage,” Brad joked, “I keep trying,” before seriously adding, “She loves that stuff. She’s got a great sense of humor, as you know.”

Source: The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Taylor Swift is a doctor now…sort of. The singer received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from New York University yesterday, and spoke to graduates at their commencement at Yankee Stadium.

“Hi, I’m Taylor,” she began. “Last time I was in a stadium this size, I was dancing in heels and wearing a glittery leotard. This outfit is much more comfortable,” referring to her purple and black cap and gown. She also joked, “The main reason I’m here is because I have a song called ’22,'” a nod to her “Red” track.

“I’d like to thank NYU for making me, technically, on paper at least, a doctor,” she added, “Not the type of doctor you would want around in case of an emergency. Unless your specific emergency was that you desperately needed to hear a song with a catchy hook.”

• In her nearly 25-minute speech, she talked to graduates about it being okay to make mistakes, noting hers were some of the “best things” in her life. She also touched upon cancel culture, sharing, “getting canceled on the Internet and nearly losing my career gave me an excellent knowledge of all the types of wine.”
• She also discussed the difficulties the students must have gone through thanks to COVID, advised them to get comfortable with “cringe” and urged them to set forth on their own path. “I know it can be really overwhelming figuring out who to be and when, who you are now and how to act in order to get where you want to go,” she said. “I have some good news: It’s totally up to you. I have some terrifying news: It’s totally up to you.”
• Finally, Tay offered, “Hard things will happen to us, we will recover, we will learn from it. We will grow more resilient because of it,” adding, “As long as we are fortunate enough to be breathing, we will breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, (and) breathe out — I’m a doctor now so I know how breathing works.”

Read the full transcript here.

Source: Variety

With Ellen DeGeneres set to wrap up her daytime talk show May 26^th, Keith Urban stopped by for his final appearance on the show and serenaded the host with his 2016 song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” at her request.

Keith, who has appeared on the talk show 20 times, also chatted with Ellen, who asked him how he felt about Dolly Parton’s recent admission that she wanted to sing a duet with him.

“It’s so sweet,” he shares. “I come from working-class parents and a rural kind of background in Australia, and the first time I met Dolly — she’s sung with me a few times — and the first time I met her it was surreal.”

He notes, “I grew up singing her songs. As a matter of fact, I sang her songs because I was nine years old, and my voice hadn’t broken yet, and I sounded like her — I could sing in her key.”

• ONE MORE THING! Keith also gifted Ellen with a guitar that included a special message to the host. “Dearest darling Ellen, you’ve been a believer in me and my music since 2004, when I first came on your show,” it read. “Today is the 20th time you’ve invited me to be here. I’m deeply grateful for all the years of laughs, conversations, weird a– cologne commercials and your passionate support,” noting, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish you the love and light on your journey ahead. Your friend, always, Keith Urban.”

Source: Ellen DeGeneres

Carrie Underwood is ready to launch a new tour this fall. The singer just announced dates for her new “Denim & Rhinestones Tour,” named after her upcoming album, which drops June 10^th.

The tour, featuring special guest Jimmie Allen, kicks off October 15^th in Greenville, South Carolina, and hits such big cities as Miami, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, DC as well as New York’s Madison Square Garden, with dates confirmed through May 17^th in Seattle, Washington.

“I’m thrilled to be hitting the road again with the Denim & Rhinestones tour,” Carrie shares. “I’m excited to bring the new music of Denim & Rhinestones to life on tour, as well as put new spins on familiar favorites. We’ve been working hard already preparing for an amazing show, and I can’t wait to see everyone on the road!”

Check out the first few dates below and click here for the complete schedule. Tickets go on sale Friday.

• October 15: Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
• October 17: Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• October 18: Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
• October 20: Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
• October 22: Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
• October 23: Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
• October 25: Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
• October 27: Grand Forks, ND – Alerus Center
• October 31: Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
• November 2: Austin, TX – Moody Center