Seems there is a movement to preserve “Old Florida.” I guess that’s a good idea. Florida has a long and rich history. Who knows when the Native Americans first travelled down the sandy peninsula stretching hundreds of miles into warm ocean waters? And who can forget the Spanish who “discovered” a land that someone else was living on? And what about those early farmers scattered about the swamps and the coastlines, ones who battled malarial mosquitoes, rogue hurricanes, and searing sun to make a living in a land far removed from the center of a young America? “Old Florida” is a worthy subject for historical ballads and songs that romanticize times long ago. But it’s not the only way to look at the Sunshine State.

There is another Florida – a modern landscape that people come from everywhere to experience. This is a land of theme parks, toll roads, space centers, mild winters, and air-conditioned summers. This is now a land where those with a southern accent might just be outnumbered by those without – a land where a significant number don’t even claim English as their first language. I chose to write “Florida Sunshine, Florida Rain” about this unruly, boisterous Florida. Although many may bemoan the passage of the “good old days of Old Florida,” some of us find this new Florida still a place worth singing about. I guess we new comers feel like sinners who have been recently admitted into heaven. We realize our presence doesn’t necessarily improve the environment, but we are still so grateful to be here and to be here now.

Patty starts “Florida Sunshine, Florida Rain” with a blast from her trumpet. Patty can produce such elegant tone and color with her instrument, but she begins this song by allowing the trumpet to express its brash nature. From the first notes of the song, the trumpet gives notice that this song will not be a mellow reminiscence; rather, it will shout out the joy of living in a modern promised land.

From there the song goes on to suggest the variety of experiences available to one living in today’s Florida. The song lists a few places explicitly – Orlando, Suwannee River, St. Augustine, Tampa, Everglades, and Barefoot Bay among them – but the implication is that the list could continue indefinitely. The last line of the chorus sums it up: “Seems to me I’ve got everything/ I see no reason to leave this place again.”

Florida Sunshine, Florida Rain

(Trumpet introduction)

They tell me there’s somethin to be said
For New York and LA
They tell me they’re both nice places to stay
They tell me that big things are happenin’
All along the way
To which I say
Hope you have a good day there.

Florida sunshine, Florida rain
Seems to me I’ve got everything
I see no reason to leave this place again

(In the north) I got Jacksonville
(In the south) there’s Miami or even Key West
(As for a West Coast) well Tampa seems good to me

(For a thrill) I got Orlando
(For a chill) there’s Tallahasee on a mid-winter day
(As for the outback) We got the Okefenokee and down south the Everglades

Florida sunshine, Florida rain
Some things should just stay the same
I see no reason to leave this place again

(Instrumental – Trumpet lead)

For uptown, I got Yeehaw Junction
(Kayak) with the mermaids in the Weeki Wachee
(Canoe) down the Suwanee River and tiptoe to Barefoot Bay

(Talkin’ old) I got St. Augustine
(Catch a snack) Catch that in Okahumpka
(Blast off) in Cape Canaveral
As long as it’s a sunny day

Florida sunshine, Florida rain
Some things should just stay the same
I see no reason to leave this place again

Florida sunshine, Florida rain
Some things should just stay the same
I see no reason to leave this place again

No, I see no earthly reason
To leave this place, leave this place again
Nah, I see no earthly reason
To leave this place again (Words and Music: Bob Tatum / Performed by Sound Traveler)

There are many things about Florida that could stand some close scrutiny, things we could and should improve. But there are also many things about this place that invite its inhabitants to stand up and shout for joy. From the moment we put “Florida Sunshine, Florida Rain” together, we both loved it. The overall message is simple, Florida is a great place. If you come, you’ll want to stay. In fact, I did. – Bob Tatum

Come See Sound Traveler this weekend at Melbourne Mainstreet Fall Festival. We will be in front of Vapor!