Songwriter Lionel Delmore passes

[Janice Brooks]

Lionel Alton DELMORE
Celina, TN
Age 62
May 20, 2002

Died peacefully at home after a brief bout with cancer. A renowned songwriter,
Delmore's career spanned more than three decades, garnering numerous awards and
accolades from both the professional music industry and his songwriting peers.
Born on March 19, 1940 to Alton and Thelma Delmore, Lionel was destined to
follow in his famous father's footsteps. He grew up listening to his father and
his Uncle Rabon write the songs and create the close harmonies that influenced
so many others. Lionel taught himself to play the guitar, and his favorite
performance spot was at the kitchen table in the Delmore home where he played
for family friends Merle Travis, Grandpa Jones and Red Foley. Noted artist John
Anderson wrote and recorded over 17 songs with Delmore, and the songwriting duo
were given ASCAP Awards in 1979 for "Low Dog Blues" & "The Girl at the End of
the Bar" in 1985 for "I Wish I Could Write You A Song" and in 1996 for "Bend It
Til It Breaks". Their most significant collaboration was "Swingin", which topped
both Country and Pop Billboard Charts, and has logged over one million radio
performances by ASCAP. "Swingin" was named CMA Song of the Year, and remains
Warner Bros Record top selling single of all times at 1.4 million copies sold.
Delmore co-wrote with many Nashville song crafters, including close friend Larry
Cordle. Their song "Honky Tonk Crowd" was a Top Ten Country Hit. Lionel Delmore
was also a respected music publisher and record producer. He owned and operated
his own companies, Low Dog Music, Foggy Jonz Music and Lionel Delmore Music. He
is survived by his wife, Susan Delmore; devoted sisters, Norma Gail Weimer,
Billie Anne Dampier and Debby Delmore.



------------------
Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047