On a personal note, Lionel's family home was given to his grandparents as a gift from Booker T. Washington. He accepted a tennis scholarship to attend Tuskegee Institute, where he was a member of the marching band and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics with a minor in accounting. He's been married twice and has three children.
Funny story. Kenny Rogers asked Lionel to write him a signature song for a new album he planned to produce. When the time came for them to meet at the studio to go over the new song, Lionel wasn't ready. He had gotten a late start and was running way behind. Not wanting to disappoint Kenny, Lionel hammered out a song on the plane and it was still missing a verse when he got to the studio, so he hid in the restroom and finished the song. The name of the song? Lady. The song went number one in the U.S. and was in the Top 10 in most markets around the world. R&B singer to award winning country artist. Lionel is the man.