Florida adopts new state anthem

Florida now has a second official state anthem.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Tuesday to designate “Seminole Wind” as the new state song. The decree identifies the 1992 track as the selected piece. DeSantis announced the decision via his account on the social media platform X. In a statement, the governor confirmed the designation and outlined steps to honor the songwriter’s legacy.

The song was written by John Anderson, a native of Apopka. The executive order notes that Anderson grew up in Florida and graduated from Apopka High School in 1972. He later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to build a career in the music industry. During his time in Nashville, Anderson produced several hit country songs. The order lists “Swingin,” “Wild and Blue,” and “Black Sheep” as notable works from his catalog.

The announcement followed Anderson’s death last week. He passed away days after attending the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Nashville.

DeSantis directed the Florida Secretary of State to install historic markers in the City of Apopka. These markers will depict Anderson’s contribution to the state’s cultural heritage. The governor also tasked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to work with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Their goal is to rename the wildlife drive and trail system at Lake Apopka North Shore as the John Anderson Wildlife Drive and Trail System.

Florida already had an official anthem. Lawmakers approved “Florida, Where Sawgrass Meets the Sky” in 2008. That song was written by Jan Hinton, a music teacher from Pompano Beach. The full text of the new executive order details the administrative steps required to implement these changes. It serves as the legal basis for the new state anthem and the associated commemorative projects in Apopka.