On Broadway - KC Johns & Tofu with Vegetables
On Broadway is a bi-monthly web series that delves into the food memories of the talented musicians of Broadway in downtown Nashville. Every other week, we’ll pair those memories with a relevant recipe and information on how to listen to each musician’s material. Our aim is to connect the passion of food to the passion of music—two mediums that evoke instant reactions and memories, and remind us of the incredible people that pour their heart out every day to make their living in our backyard.
KC Johns is a surprise. At first impression, she may come across unassuming; a petite, blonde bombshell with a sweet disposition and genuine warmth and light about her. Before long, it becomes abundantly apparent that she is also a strong, passionate, fiercely kind, driven, independent little firecracker. Each trait is a testament to her upbringing. KC spent most of her childhood just outside of Memphis, in Mississippi. “I grew up super poor… I grew up in a trailer. My mom was single, my dad left a long time ago… I got to watch my mom become this really strong, independent woman and that’s where I get a lot of that.”
So, it’s no wonder that her Mom was the one to give her a voice in more ways than one. “I started music when I was 15, I started playing guitar. My mom bought me a guitar and she [said], ‘you should learn how to play an instrument.’ I fell in love with it and I started writing… I started in a church youth praise band and I fell in love with that. When I was 17, my mom brought me to Nashville over spring break and I [thought], ‘I think this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.’” Understandingly overwhelmed by Nashville at the time, KC went back home to hone her craft. “I started learning covers and trying to get better at guitar, started taking voice lessons…. [I formed] a band back home and played music.” Her tireless practice soon paid off, after a video reel she made landed her a job on a cruise ship at just 20 years old. “I did that for 6 years… I got to travel and be a part of a rock band and It was great I loved it.” Shortly thereafter, she took her talents to Dollywood, where she performed for almost 2 years.
But Nashville’s beckon call was never far behind her. So, a year and a half ago, KC answered. “I moved here on a whim. I was offered a cruise ship music director position and I turned it down. I said ‘I’m going to try the Nashville thing and just see what happens. I took a flight here and my very first day I met [an incredible guitar player on Broadway]. The next day at The Valentine, I had a job.” Though KC feels, and any Broadway musician will agree, “the hustle ever ends," it seems that she has found a staggering amount of success in a small amount of time, and rightfully so.
Sitting down with KC, I wasn’t sure what to expect for her food memory. True to form, what she described was a complete surprise, yet made so much sense. “When I was on ships, I used to go to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was my favorite cruise port. I happened to stumble upon this place called Café Berlin…. I went there every single week for about 5 years. [As] it was an American territory, it was the only place where I could contact my family. I went there for coffee one morning because the coffee was so good. I fell in love with the bartenders and waiters and one of the bartenders said, 'you need to try this tofu vegetable plate.' That’s the thing I remember most.” The tofu vegetable plate she describes is a light, fresh, chopped dish, served almost hibachi style. She recalls, “I’m not really into vegetarian food, but I loved there’s. It’s [not] as hearty as American food would be, but it [was] healthy… great for a day you’re walking around and working a lot.” Certainly, for someone constantly pushing to be the best they can in a competitive field, it’s important to fuel the body accordingly.
So, the next time you have a day off, fuel your body with this awesome recipe for a beautiful, fresh tofu vegetable bowl and head on down to Broadway to catch KC nail a set. She currently plays consistently at AJ’s, The Stage, and Nashville Underground, with occasional appearances at The Valentine. Immerse yourself in her inviting authenticity and take-notice country rock vibes and let the unexpected present that is KC Johns wrap you up.
Follow KC on Instagram @kcjohnss and keep up with her performances at kcjohns.rocks
