Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who gained popularity in the late 1970s and was also recognized as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, she has left behind a substantial collection of country and Christian music hits.
Smith, originally named Betty Lou Miller, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her passion for performing was ignited by a television show in her local area, and she even acquired the skill of yodeling at a young age. However, she made the choice to pursue a career in teaching rather than pursuing her dream of becoming a country star.
According to AllMusic, her unique journey to fame started when she began singing in her classroom and later at parent teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which then resulted in her creating a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
From 1979 onwards, Smith started to openly express her femininity in more noticeable manners. One of her bold moves was releasing "Still a Woman," a track from her album titled A Woman, which became a Top 10 hit.
In the chorus of the song, she sings about shutting the door and turning off the light, indicating that the plane is about to take off. She urges everyone to hold on tightly as they embark on their journey. Despite everything, she emphasizes that she is still a woman.
In 1979, Smith's album Just Margo had a daring cover that showed her wearing a satin robe. Although it may seem more like a housecoat in 2024, it was considered bold at the time. While her popularity on country radio declined, her willingness to discuss sexuality and incorporate provocative stage performances helped boost ticket sales.
After a sudden change, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed disappointment about this period in her life. Music Row notes that in 1983, she began embracing the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later, she transitioned into a more conservative stance. Alongside her daughter Holly, she adopted the name Margo Smith and Holly, forming an acclaimed Christian country duo.
During the later part of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She supported herself 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 at the age of 84 on January 23rd.
Just a few days ago, she had experienced a stroke. Smith is no longer alive and is survived by her husband, Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other family members.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is kindly requesting that you make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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