Courtesy of Diane Velazquez
Key Points
- Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed November 10 as John Anderson Day to honor the Apopka-born country musician who died October 21.
- John Anderson had a nearly 50-year career with five No. 1 hits, 20+ albums, and hall of fame inductions.
- Governor DeSantis declared John Anderson's song "Seminole Wind" the state anthem.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings declared Tuesday, Nov. 10, as John Anderson Day in Orange County, honoring the Apopka-born country musician who died Oct. 21.
“Orange County recognizes John Anderson for his remarkable contributions to country music, his distinction as a native son of Apopka, Florida, and the lasting influence of his artistry on current and future generations of musicians,” read the proclamation, received by Apopka Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez.
According to the proclamation, Anderson signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1976. His first single on the charts, “I’ve Got a Feelin’ (Somebody’s Been Stealin’),” appeared the following year. During his almost fifty-year career, Anderson released five No. 1 hits and more than 20 studio albums, earning inductions into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. He left behind his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.
“The late Apopka-born country music artist graduated from Apopka High School, moved to Nashville to pursue his career, and as we know, excelled at his career choice,” said Orange County District 2 Commissioner Mike Crabb in a Tuesday, Nov. 10, Facebook post. “Anderson exemplified the hardworking nature of District 2 residents.”
After Anderson’s death, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Oct. 27 executive order directing “the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to work with the St. John’s Water Management District to designate the wildlife drive and trail system within the Lake Apopka North Shore as the John Anderson Wildlife Drive and Trail System.” The order also named Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” as the state anthem.
“Anderson’s songbook reflects an effort to incorporate Florida’s history, heritage, and landscapes into his writing, positively impacting the protection of natural Florida at a critical time in the state’s growth and development,” according to DeSantis’ executive order. “Seminole Wind has served as the unofficial anthem of the State of Florida since its debut in 1992, its lyrics honoring Floridians across the Peninsula, including the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Osceola, and the conservation-minded spirit of Floridians from Okeechobee to Micanopy… The sentiments of Seminole Wind positively influenced a generational investment in protecting Florida’s heritage, natural environment, and way of life, resulting in the expedited restoration of America’s Everglades, the very place Anderson sought to protect in Seminole Wind.”