Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24: CD Review

A Parrot Head Favorite: Mile Marker 24

Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 band have been making great tropical inspired music with a country twist since the mid 1990's. Mile Mark 24's regular members are Howard Livingston- vocals and guitar, Alan Stenger- vocals and guitar, Jason Miller- vocals and guitar and Dave Herzog- vocals, steel drums and percussion. Mile Marker 24 has graduated from the local tiki bars and other watering holes found everywhere in the Florida Keys, to opening for head liners like ZZ Top, America, Little River Band, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Like many before him, Howard visited the Keys and just couldn't handle the withdrawal when returning to the frozen North Country. He gave in to the Keys Fever in the early 90's and moved to Summerland Key near Mile Marker 24. Howard and the changing band members paid their dues performing locally, then released their first CD, "Livin' on Key West Time" in 2005. Their Island style music was a hit with the Parrot Heads. Now the band can be seen at Parrot Head conventions from the Keys to Montana. The success of Howard Livingston could not have happened to a nicer guy.

I had the privilege of sharing the microphone with Howard on the Reelin' in the Keys radio show hosted by Cal Sutphin this morning. Never meeting Howard, I had no idea what to expect. When he broke out his Takamine six string guitar, I knew he had to be alright. Since he gave me copies of his three CD's to review, I knew he never read any of my stuff.

Livin' on Key West Time, is the title of his debut CD and its hit single. Recorded in Nashville, TN at Sixteen Ton Studios, the album blends Howard's Kentucky musical roots with the tropical flavor of his new home. Studio musicians performed on this album with Howard since his varied band members were stuck in the Keys making a living. Then they just may have not wanted to leave the Keys. This laid back tropical country album belongs in everyone's music collection.