Hopkins also co-wrote, with Zac Brown, Wyatt Durette, and Sonia Leigh, the second single from the band's third major-label album Uncaged, entitled "Goodbye in Her Eyes".
Hopkins co-wrote the band's first #1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, "Heavy Is the Head", which featured Chris Cornell and was the second single from their 4th major label studio album, 2015's Jekyll + Hyde.
Hopkins was raised in Gainesville, GA, the eldest of four brothers. He graduated from Florida State University 1993 with a degree in general theatre.
During college at Florida State University, Hopkins was the front man of a band called The Woodpeckers.
After college, Hopkins moved to Atlanta. In 1996, he formed his rock band Brighter Shade, with whom he still plays. Brighter Shade recorded two albums by the early 2000s. During that time, Hopkins got involved with the production end of the scene: producing, recording, and collaborating on several projects in the Atlanta area, including one with Zac Brown
After several years of friendship with Brown, in 2005, Hopkins joined the Zac Brown Band on bass guitar and vocals.
In 2011, Hopkins joined forces with bluegrass band Balsam Range. In January 2013 they released their debut CD called Daylight to critical acclaim.

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