Renowned country singer Margo Smith has passed away at the age of 84. Smith, who gained popularity in the late 1970s and was often referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," had a remarkable career with numerous successful country and Christian songs in her discography.
Betty Lou Miller, who later became known as Smith, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her passion for performing was ignited after watching a television show in her local area. Despite developing the skill of yodeling at a young age, she made the conscious choice to pursue a career in teaching instead of pursuing her aspirations of becoming a country star.
According to AllMusic, the singer's unique journey towards fame started when she began singing in her classroom and later during parent-teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which in turn led to the creation of a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Starting in 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity. One of her songs called "Still a Woman," which was featured in her album A Woman, became a successful hit and was particularly daring.
She sings in the chorus, "Simply close the door and switch off the light. The plane is going to take off tonight. Hold on tight as we embark. I am still a woman."
In 1979, Smith released her album called "Just Margo" and the cover featured her wearing a satin robe, which was considered daring at that time. However, in 2024, the outfit could be seen as more of a housecoat. Despite her decreasing popularity on country radio, her openness about sex and her provocative concert performances helped boost ticket sales.
After a sudden change, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed her remorse for this particular phase in her life. According to Music Row, in 1983 she began to adopt the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later she had transitioned into a more conservative mindset. Alongside her daughter Holly, she formed the successful Christian country duo known as Margo Smith and Holly.
During the later stages of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She made a living by instructing others on how to yodel, with Taylor Ware, who was a runner-up on America's Got Talent in 2006, being her most well-known student. Eventually, she returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
Only a few days ago, she experienced a stroke. Smith is survived by her husband, Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other relatives.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is requesting that individuals make a contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In memory of 40 country singers and songwriters who passed away prematurely, we pay our respects. Gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes.
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