Howard “Mickey” Livingston, Marion High School Class of 1969, is the founder of a large and successful manufacturing business, an award-winning singer and the Florida Keys’ favorite local celebrity and dedicated philanthropist.
Born in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, he moved to Marion at the age of 13 with his family. At Marion High School, he participated in vocational training and won second place in a statewide vocational competition, earning a scholarship to a Chicago trade school. He went on to found a manufacturing company that made diesel engine valve guides, and grew the business over nearly 25 years into the largest in the nation and second largest globally. Livingston was granted three patents for his development of materials and processes.
But a trip to Florida Keys brought him back around to his first love, music, and set him up for a very different second act.
Livingston’s love for music started at a young age. He began playing guitar at age 6, and after his family moved to Marion, he joined a local band, “The Juveniles”, which played at festivals and teen centers throughout the state. Although none of the members were old enough to drive, they had their own mini tour bus that the parents drove to performances!
Though his business success sidelined music for nearly 25 years, his trips to the Florida Keys eventually led him to leave the hectic corporate life in the 1990s and settle in the islands, pick his guitar back up, and pursue his dream of becoming a songwriter.
Since then he has released 11 albums and earned numerous Trop Rock Music Association music awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year (The Mile Marker 24 Band). One of his songs “Living on Key West Time” has been designated the official song of Key West, and he is perennially voted the Keys’ Favorite Local Celebrity. The band has also toured nationwide.
Livingston also hosted the award-winning television series “Key West Time”, bringing the island lifestyle to millions of households across America. The 13-week series won a Telly Award as well as an Accolade Global Film Award. He has also been featured on “The Today Show”, “Good Morning America”, “The Early Show”, The Travel Channel, The Weather Channel, and the Discovery Network, where his song “I’m Living On An Island” was the theme song for the series “Buying The Beach”. Howard and his wife, Cyndy, also starred in the first episode.
But more importantly, Howard realized the power of music to help others. He has supported local non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, KeysStrong in the wake of hurricane Irma, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the Boys and Girls Club, to name a few. But the organization he has been the most involved with is KOA’s Care Camps, which sends children with cancer along with their siblings to specialized summer camps. He and Cyndy received the “I Care Award” for their ongoing support of KOA’s Care Camps. Along with his fan club the “Coconut Castaways,” they have raised more than $1 million for the Care Camps kids. Howard has also received the “Unsung Hero” and “Wave” awards for his charitable work.