Musician

Singer

Song writer

"Mickey"

Born in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Howard “Mickey” Livingston moved to Marion at the age of 13 with his family. His love of music had started at a young age and continued when he arrived in Marion, as he soon joined a local band called “The Juveniles.” Playing at festivals and teen centers throughout the state, the group quickly became local favorites. Although none of the members were old enough to drive, they had their own mini tour bus which the parents drove to performances. While in Marion, Howard also discovered his fondness for manufacturing and engineering. Marion High School’s strong vocational training program gave Howard a springboard for real-life skills. In his senior year, he competed in the statewide vocational competition and finished as runner-up. This earned him a scholarship to a Chicago trade school. Howard relocated to Chicago upon graduation to further his studies and ultimately founded his own manufacturing company. His business grew to become the largest producer of diesel engine valve guides in the nation and second largest in the world. Howard directly attributes this success to his early vocational training at MHS. Howard’s love for music was sidelined for 22 years while building the manufacturing business, but, as chance would have it, he visited the Florida Keys and caught a case of “island fever” and immediately proclaimed, “This is home.” He left the hectic life of corporate America, settled down in the Florida Keys, where he picked up his guitar again and started composing music. Howard’s prolific songwriting is evidenced by the release of seven studio albums and his receiving ten TRMA music awards for his works. As the host of the award-winning television series Key West Time, he brought the island lifestyle to 33 million 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 Destination America, 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 and Cyndy received the “I Care Award” for their ongoing support of KOA’s Care Camps, which sends children with cancer along with their siblings to specialized summer camps. Along with his fan club, “Coconut Castaways,” they have raised more than $750,000 for the Care Camp’s kids. Howard has also received the “Unsung Hero” and “Wave” awards for his charitable work.