Renowned country singer Margo Smith has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout the late 1970s, she achieved great success on the charts and earned the nickname "The Tennessee Yodeler." Her extensive repertoire includes numerous country and Christian hits.
Smith's birth name was Betty Lou Miller, and she was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her interest in performing was sparked by a TV show in her local area, and she even acquired the skill of yodeling at a young age. However, she made the decision to pursue a career in teaching instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a country star.
According to AllMusic, the singer's unique journey towards fame started when she first began singing in her classroom and later during meetings of the parent-teacher association. This eventually led to opportunities to perform on the radio, which in turn led to the creation of a demo recording and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Smith started to openly express her femininity more in 1979. Her song "Still a Woman," which was a major success and part of her A Woman album, was exceptionally daring.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The plane is set to take off tonight / Hold on tightly as we soar through the sky / Remember, I am still a woman."
In 1979, Smith's album Just Margo had a bold cover that showed her wearing a satin robe, which was considered daring at the time. However, by 2024, the outfit might be seen more as a housecoat. Despite her decreasing popularity on country radio, her openness about sex and the use of provocative concert performances helped boost ticket sales.
Out of nowhere, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed her regret for this particular period in her life. According to Music Row, in 1983, she began adopting the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later, she transitioned into more conservative beliefs. Alongside her daughter Holly, she started a successful Christian country music duo named Margo Smith and Holly.
During the later stages of her life, Smith relocated to Florida and dedicated her time to yodeling. She made a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with one of her notable students being Taylor Ware, who was the runner-up on America's Got Talent in 2006. Smith eventually returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
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 members of her extended family.
The family is kindly requesting that instead of giving flowers, they would appreciate if you could make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Acknowledgement: Billy Dukes
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