# John Rich Asks Florida Governor to Make “Seminole Wind” the Official State Song in the Wake of John Anderson’s Death

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/john-rich-asks-florida-governor-to-make-seminole-wind-the-official-state-song-in-the-wake-of-john-andersons-death/
- Published: 2026-10-22T18:29:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T19:59:00+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/john-rich-asks-florida-governor-to-make-seminole-wind-the-official-state-song-in-the-wake-of-john-andersons-death/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- John Rich wants “Seminole Wind” named Florida’s state song.
- John Anderson was 71 when he died on 21 October.
- Florida’s state song has been “Old Folks at Home” since 1935.

## Summary

Country singer John Rich has asked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to make John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” the state’s official song, saying it captures Florida’s spirit and honours Anderson, a native Floridian. The request followed Anderson’s death and Rich’s tributes to him as a major influence and a close friend.

DeSantis has not responded. Florida’s current state song is Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home”, adopted in 1935. Anderson, 71, died in his sleep on 21 October; his family announced his death but did not disclose a cause, and described him as a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.