Johnnyswim showcases multidimensional talents

10/1/2025

A reality cooking show, a podcast, live concerts and a new musical are all part of Johnnyswim’s multidimensional talents, and the duo is attracting fans from all walks of life. They are set to perform a concert at Hoyt Sherman Place on Oct. 6.

Johnnyswim consists of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez. The name Johnnyswim originates from Amanda, who, as a child, had a goldfish named Johnny. The goldfish died, and she refused to believe it was dead and yelled “Johnny — swim!”  

The married couple began singing and writing music in 2005. Their song “Home” was chosen as a theme song for the HGTV show, “Fixer Upper.” They’ve starred in their own reality shows, “The Johnnyswim Show” and “In the Kitchen with Abner and Amanda.” 

They released a new album, “When the War Is Over,”  in early 2025. The album entails a season of hardship after Amanda was diagnosed with long COVID and Abner suffered with mental health struggles. 

“We were dealing with pressure on all sides of our life. The album talks about our journey. Not always knowing where life takes us, but being stronger for it,” Amanda explains. 

The deluxe album version comes out in October and features five other songs. 

“We didn’t feel like those songs fit the storyline of the album. One song we wrote 13 years ago. We used to do New Music Monday, and someone pointed out they loved the song. We re-wrote that, and it’s part of the deluxe album,” Abner explains. 

They has also written the music and lyrics to a new musical, “One Day.” The global opening is in Edinburgh in 2026. The musical is based on a novel by David Greig, which was also a movie and a Netflix show. The musical is about a couple who get together one day each year. 

“We’re a husband-wife duo, who would be a complement to the story, as it reflects us, too,” Abner explains. “The universe conspires to get us together, just like in the musical.”

The couple say writing a musical has a been a lifelong dream. 

“About 10 years ago, Amanda and I began sitting together on a beach to dream about what we hope to accomplish. One of them was to write a musical,” he recalls.

Amanda hails from a musical background. Her mom was singer Donna Summers and her dad, songwriter Bruce Sudano. Abner’s family were Cuban immigrants. Abner’s dad knew of him dating Amanda and how they were raised in different backgrounds. 

“The important thing is that we were both raised similarly, which is leading life by passion, leadership and service,” he explains.

He recalls how he was in New York with Amanda’s parents, who offered to accompany them on a road trip to a concert. 

“She (Donna) wanted to come with, as she said, ‘You’ll never get the time back,” he reflects. “These are the good old days, and I’ve always remembered that. Seasons come and go.”

As bandmates with three kids at home, the pair spends a lot of time together, yet it is a comforting feeling. 

“Every creative thing we do, we have to express ourselves. There’s a vulnerability attached to our work. We risk just as much to open up. It’s a safe place,” Abner says.

Often, their writing doesn’t only occur in the studio; it’s sitting at home. 

“She’s cooking, and I’m in the other room, and we come up with a song idea. More than 75% of our writing comes from hanging out at home,” Abner explains.

This fall, they are launching a fan club, which consists of cooking, reality show, music and podcast all rolled into one. They says their shows appeal to all ages. 

“Half of the people don’t even know who Donna Summers was,” Amanda says.

Abner adds, “We don’t have a laser focus of fan demographic. We have a wide swath of ages, backgrounds and ethnic fans. We have kids at their first concert in their 20s next to someone in their 70s singing along.”

In whatever capacity of performing, Johnnyswim strives to be authentic. 

“Our goal is to make music that speaks to us,” Abner reflects. “We want to be true to who we are.” ♦