Ramirez trained as a musician at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in his native Jacksonville, Florida. Ramirez and Sudano first met after Sunday service at a church in Nashville, Tennessee. Four years later in 2005 Sudano attended a songwriting workshop held by Ramirez and became interested in writing songs with him.
Career
Johnnyswim independently released their first self-titled EP on June 30, 2008. In 2009, the duo collaborated with Bruce Sudanoon the track "Morning Song" which appeared on his record Life and the Romantic. In 2010, they released their second EP, 5-8 and toured around the country. In 2011, they released the single "Bonsoir". In September that year, the duo traveled to India with VisitingOrphans.org. Inspired by their experiences there, they wrote the track "Hallelujah" featuring Tulsi. It was released in December 2011 with all profits going to the efforts of the charity. April 24, 2012 saw the release of their third album Home, Vol. 1, a new collection of songs as well as the release of the single "Annie". The unsigned duo hit their stride and received support from major brands like Apple, Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger. Johnnyswim were guests on the November 17, 2012 broadcast of the live radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion. They also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 15, 2013. Johnnyswim performed "Don't Let It Get You Down" from their album Heart Beats on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Friday, September 13, 2013. The duo signed a recording contract with Big Picnic Records. In 2014, Johnnyswim released their first full-length record, Diamonds. Diamonds held the number one spot on the Singer/Songwriter chart for several weeks. In December 2014 Joanna Gaines announced on Twitter that their song "Home" would become the theme song for the soon to be hit HGTV show Fixer Upper. Johnnyswim were guests on February 13, 2014, episode 65 of the program Live From Daryl's House, joining Daryl Hall and the house band in performing seven songs. In April the same year, Johnnyswim performed a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR's All Songs Considered. In 2016, they released the studio albumGeorgica Pond and the live album Live At Rockwood Music Hall. In 2019, they released their latest studio album Moonlight. Later in 2019, Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines revealed their plans for their own television network, Magnolia TV, and the first production show with working title “Home on the Road,” would follow the Johnnyswim duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, as well as their kids and band members, on their North American tour.
