Career
His instrument was the trumpet. Born Clinton O. McMahan in Dallas, Texas, he moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona. He learned to play the trumpet from his mother, who grew up in an orphanage.
After high school, following a stint in the United States Army, he played with Les Brown"s band on The Steve Allen Show and later toured with Brown"s band on overseas United Service Organizations tours, usually accompanying Bob Hope.
He also played with the Freddy Martin, Tex Beneke and Stan Kenton bands. He joined Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music Makers in 1966 as first trumpet, performing both on television show and live concert dates.
In 2008 Mickey died at home in Van Nuys, California from complications of neuropathy.