Renowned country singer Margo Smith has passed away at the age of 84. The talented artist, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and was affectionately referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has left behind an impressive collection of country and Christian hits.
Betty Lou Miller, later known as Smith, 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 music star.
According to AllMusic, the unique journey to fame for this individual began when she first showcased her singing talent in her classroom and later at parent teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which then paved the way for her to create a demo record and ultimately sign a recording contract.
Smith started to openly express her femininity starting in 1979. One of the standout moments was the release of her A Woman album, which included the daring and successful Top 10 hit "Still a Woman."
She sings in the chorus, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The airplane is going to take off tonight / Hold on tightly as we soar through the sky / I'm still a woman."
In the album cover of Smith's Just Margo released in 1979, she was depicted wearing a satin robe, which was considered bold and unconventional at that time. However, by 2024, the outfit may be seen more as a casual housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, Smith's openness about sex and her daring stage performances helped boost ticket sales.
After a sudden change, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed remorse for this period in her life. Music Row highlights that in 1983, she began to adopt the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later, she transitioned into more conservative beliefs. Alongside her daughter Holly, she formed a successful Christian country act known as Margo Smith and Holly, receiving recognition and awards for their work.
Smith relocated to Florida during the later stages of her life, where she dedicated herself to the art of yodeling. She generated revenue by providing yodeling lessons to individuals, with her most notable pupil being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent in 2006. Subsequently, she returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
A stroke had occurred to her a few days ago. Smith is survived by her spouse Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other relatives.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is kindly requesting donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
40 country singers and songwriters who passed away at a young age, leaving behind a void in the music industry. Credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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