Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24: CD Review

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.

Meet Me in the Keys, the second album by Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24, has a much stronger Keys inspired influence. This CD was also recorded by sixteen ton studios and released in 2006. Alan Stenger, Howard's son, joined him in the studio for this recording. The single, Where Bananas Grow, is getting a lot of air time locally for good reason. Be careful though, this is the kind of song that gets stuck in your head for weeks. Where the Heck is Kokomo, cracks me up. If you don't like it you have never been in the Keys or listened to the Beach Boys. Again, there are no skippers on this CD. The sequence of this CD has a flow from upbeat tropical to totally laid back country with the instrumental, Banana Song, at the end that makes a creative statement. While the individual songs are great, this is an album to be savored in a single straight through session.

Blame it on the Margaritas, was released in 2007. Also recorded at sixteen ton studios, Jason (North) Miller joined in the recording this time. This is a solid CD, but after Meet Me in the Keys it was a little bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, it is a good CD. The title song, Blame it on the Margaritas and other singles Local on the Eights, Know Your Limitation and Boondocks are very solid songs. The flow of this CD was not as natural compared to that their second album. If I had not had Meet Me in the Keys to compare it to, I may not have had that to say. Then it could be because the Banana Song was still in my head.

If you only could buy one CD, Meet Me in the Keys is the one followed by Livin' on Key West Time and Blame it on the Margaritas.

Howard and the band are working on a new CD/DVD with live recordings and video. Sound studios can make just about anyone sound good. The best way to evaluate the talent of a musician is in person. Howard Livingston passes that test in flying colors. Be looking out for the new CD/DVD. Better yet come down to Boondocks, Sugarloaf KOA, Schooner Wharf Bar or local Florida Keys events to see Mile Marker 24 in person. If you are stuck in the frozen North, check out the band in Great Falls, Montana; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Antioch or Bean Blossom, Illinois. For the band's full schedule check out Mile Marker 24 on Myspace.

When the CBS Early Show starts calling you up for spots should they happen to be in the neighborhood, you are doing something right. Howard Livingston is on the right track. Living the good life with a permanent smile on his face, as he should. He has the second best job in the world. Mine, the fishing one, is the first.

To get a sample of Mile Marker 24 visit MileMarker24.com or myspace.com/milemarker24 for a free taste.

This article was published for nonpayment. Associated Content has not reviewed and does not endorse the views of this author.