Music The Reality of Ken and Andi Johnson By Chris Manson

I must really love these guys, considering it was a four-hour round trip from Fort Walton Beach to Seaside, where Ken and Andi Johnson are getting ready to set up for their weekly show in the amphitheater as Huck and Lilly.

They offer to buy lunch at Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar, and I happily accept even though it’s way too early to take full advantage of the couple’s generosity by ordering several pricey cocktails. I’m grateful they don’t like any of that weird stuff on their pie.

This is one of the couple’s favorite local spots, along with the state parks and the Coastal Dune Lakes, where they like to take the boat out and catch fish for dinner. When dining out, they lean toward Cowgirl Kitchen and Old Florida Fish House in Seagrove Beach and Rosemary Beach’s La Crema.

“You feel like you’re in another country when you go to La Crema,” says Andi.

I first met the Johnsons a year ago, when Beachcomber profiled the couple under their kid-friendly personas. At the time, they were commuting back and forth from Nashville, but now they call Seagrove Beach home.

“I’m getting more work done here than Performers, songwriters and reality TV stars Ken and Andi Johnson devalue themselves by posing for a groupie with Editor Manson. I did in Nashville. More meaningful work anyway,” says Ken. “It’s a no-drama, positive thing,” says “you have to have a minimum of five Osborne album. “It’s called ‘Heart Ken, which I find interesting since number-one songs to your credit,” Shaped Locket,’” she says, adding Huck and Lilly perform most Tuesday Kellie Pickler executive producer says Ken. almost too giddily: “It’s a cheating evenings at the Seaside Amphitheater Ryan Seacrest is also responsible song!” at 6:30. They will also be at the Hub for ramming the Kardashians down Speaking of which, Ken landed a 30A in Watersound July 12. After America’s throats. song on the latest Harry Connick Jr. Ken is also involved with an outfit tonight’s show, they—Ken and Andi, album. It’s called “Every Time I Fall in (sorry, couldn’t help myself) called the I mean—will head up to Nashville for Occasionally, you might hear one Love.” He, Andi, Kellie and Kyle went Black Jacket Symphony, and he and the CMT Music Awards. of the Johnsons’ original songs on to New York recently to promote the Andi occasionally get a chance to see the show. Sometimes they’re written reality series on Connick’s daytime some of our local musicians in action. The Johnsons aren’t up for any CMT while the cameras are rolling. talk show. Ken had not met Connick “I performed with Balder (Saunders) honors this year, but were invited but wanted to say hey and shake and Kyle (Ogle) and Forrest Williams due to their status as recurring cast Since we last talked, Ken has launched Harry’s hand. and Chris Alvarado at a crawfish members on the network’s reality HitSongwriterHouseConcerts.com, boil,” says Ken. “I like Hugh Mitchell, show I Love Kellie Pickler. Andi and which is kind of like one of those “He looked at me and walked over too, and we see a lot of great touring the country music diva are also BFFs 30A Fest “Songwriters in the Round” during a break,” says Ken. “He told musicians at the Hub and Seaside.” in real life. The show kicks off its third shows in your living room. Shows are me he loved the song and said he season Aug. 3—“We’re in about 60 set to begin in July, and Ken says the was going to perform it on the show. We barely have time to browse Central to 70 percent of the episodes,” says first three months are already booked. ‘And you’re going to sing it with me,’ Square Records before I have to begin Ken—and while the Johnsons are “I wanted to find a way to still make a he said. ‘Now?!?’ I asked. And Harry my long journey home (it’s bowling members of the Screen Actors Guild, living in the music business,” he says. said, ‘No, in 30 seconds.’” night) and Ken has to set up for they are quick to inform me that tonight’s show. But I do manage to the pay scale for reality television is The two-hour shows will feature folks You can also hear a song that Ken hang around long enough to eyeball “different” from scripted series. like James Slater, Billy Montana, Al wrote (with Tim Montana and ZZ a nice display for the Huck and Lilly Anderson, and Kellie Pickler’s on-and- Top’s Billy Gibbons) in the upcoming CD. You should buy a copy for every “They don’t ever tell us what to say,” off-screen husband Kyle Jacobs. Ken Tom Berenger-Gina Gershon film kid you know, starting with yourself. Andi adds. “We just have fun, and they says he will offer Huck and Lilly American Dresser. The movie’s title edit it the way they want.” She calls shows, too. The only requirement to refers to a specific type of Harley. Andi NEXT ISSUE: Andi shares some the Pickler show a “docu-comedy.” be part of the stable of performers is landed a cut on the recent Brothers highlights from the CMT Music Awards.

JUNE 15-28, 2017 www.beachcomberdestin.com Page 13