Lionel Cormier was born in Rayne, Louisiana on February 26, 1913. His father, Arvilian Cormier, was an accordion player and Lionel soon learned to play the accordion. By the age of 12, Lionel was playing the accordion at family gatherings and house dances. He married Lizzie Bass on September 21, 1929. The couple had two sons, Lesa and Gene Nelson Cormier.

He and Lizzie moved to Gueydan, Louisiana to work in the rice fields and then moved to Eunice to work at the sawmill.

In 1935, Lionel and his wife and young son, Lesa, settled in Elton, Louisiana. He worked at the large sawmill and continued playing his accordion for his own entertainment and anyone who came to visit.

In 1947, Lionel, Emory LaPoint, Percy Fusilier, and Darbonne formed the Elton Playboys, later renamed the Sundown Playboys. Lionel cut his first record in 1952, "Sundown Playboy Special" and "Welcome Club Waltz," on a 78-rpm record. Other records followed such as "Big boy Bounce," "Louisiana Gumbo," "Cypress Inn Special," "Last Year’s Waltz," "Waltz of My Heart," "Black Bayou Special," and "Riceville Special."

He and the band played shows on Radio Stations KJEF in Jennings, Louisiana, KSIG in Crowley, Louisiana, KPLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana, KSUL in Sulphur, Louisiana, and on TV Station, KLFY in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Lionel died of a heart attack on the bandstand at the Bamboo Club in Lake Charles, Louisiana on June 5, 1971, while playing a Cajun Day benefit dance.

His son, Lesa Cormier and grandson Danny Cormier are continuing the family tradition.