Margo Smith, a country singer known for her vibrant music, has passed away at the age of 84. In the late 1970s, she topped the charts and earned the nickname "The Tennessee Yodeler." Throughout her career, she created a vast collection of country and Christian hits.
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. She even acquired the skill of yodeling at a tender age. However, instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a country star, she made the choice to become a teacher.
According to AllMusic, her journey to fame took a unique turn when she began showcasing her singing talents in her classroom and later at parent-teacher association meetings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which in turn resulted in her creating a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Starting from 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity more. Her song "Still a Woman," which was featured on her album A Woman, became a daring Top 10 hit.
In the chorus, she sings "Close the door and switch off the light / The plane is set to take off tonight / Hold on tight as we soar high / I'm still a woman."
In 1979, Smith's album "Just Margo" had a bold cover where she wore just a satin robe. At that time, it was considered daring, although by 2024, it might be seen as more of a housecoat. While her popularity on country radio declined, her open discussions about sex and her provocative stage performances helped boost ticket sales.
Suddenly, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed feeling sorry for this period of her life. According to Music Row, in 1983 she began adopting the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later she had transitioned into more conservative beliefs. Alongside her daughter Holly, she transformed into Margo Smith and Holly, a successful Christian country duo that received awards.
In the latter part of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She managed to earn a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with one of her notable students being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, she returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
A few days ago, she had 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 people make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Credit for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
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