Guest Blog: Music Photographer Brad Moore

Brad standing in for a photo while assisting Robby Klein at The Ryman in 2017.

Photographing Johnnyswim at The Ryman Auditorium

While it’s been a long time since I’ve been to a show with the pandemic going on and a little one at home to keep safe, this one is one that will always stand out in my memory as a favorite.


A Proposal and Another Surprise

Before we get to this show, let’s rewind just a little… Back in 2017, Johnnyswim played two sold-out Christmas shows at The Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Before their first concert my girlfriend (now wife), Katelyn, and I got engaged. Just before they played our favorite song, Touching Heaven, they gave us a little shoutout and dedicated the song to us as a congratulations!

The set list with Touching Heaven dedicated to me and my now-wife, Katelyn!

I had managed to set this all up through a mutual friend the band and I have. And as my way of saying thanks, I photographed their second show a week and a half later. You can see more of those photos and read all about it right here.


An Unexpected Text Message

Fast forward to May 10, 2019, which just happened to be our six month wedding anniversary, and Katelyn and I are deciding what we want to do for the evening. My phone buzzes, and I look at it… It’s Abner from Johnnyswim asking if I’m available to photograph their show at The Ryman that night. I ask if he can throw in a ticket for Katelyn to come with me, he obliges, and we’re on our way!

Johnnyswim perform for a sold-out crowd on May 10, 2019 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN

One of my favorite things about photographing a show for the artist is, most of the time, you’re allowed all access, to photograph the entire show from anywhere in the venue. And with this being one of the most historic, renowned venues in the world, I wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity.

The last photo above is in the hallway next to the stage, where some of the band’s road cases were stored. That big one on the right is their wardrobe, but you may be wondering why it says Donna Summer. Johnnyswim are a husband and wife duo, Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez. Amanda is the daughter of the legendary Donna Summer, thus the road case!

As exciting as it is to be stage side, you never want to stay in one place the entire time, so I decided to head back to the balcony. I didn’t know it, but I made that decision at just the right time!

I got the above photo, and then they left the stage…

To come right to the spot I had been standing in! As I came up to the balcony, I thought I noticed a couple of familiar faces in the crowd…

Drew and Ellie Holcomb join Johnnyswim at The Ryman Auditorium on May 10, 2017.

Friends and collaborators of the band (and founders of Moon River Music Festival), Drew and Ellie Holcomb, jumped up from their seats to join Abner and Amanda for a couple of songs.

Here are more of my favorites from the night:

Jonathan Berlin of Johnnyswim performs on May 10, 2019 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
Devon VonBalson performs with Johnnyswim on May 10, 2019 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN

And I’ll close with this photo of Abner and Amanda walking off stage, which is featured in their book Home Sweet Road.

Johnnyswim perform on May 10, 2019 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN

You can see more of Brad’s work at BMOOREVISUALS.com, and keep up with him on Instagram and Twitter.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Previous Post

The 5%

Next Post

Blind Photo Critiques with Scott Kelby and Erik Kuna | The Grid Ep. 510