Renowned country singer Margo Smith, famous for her vibrant music in the late 1970s, has passed away at the age of 84. She was affectionately known as "The Tennessee Yodeler" and leaves behind a remarkable collection of country and Christian music hits.
Betty Lou Miller, later known as Smith, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her interest in performing was sparked by a television show she watched in her local area. Even at a young age, she developed the skill of yodeling. However, instead of pursuing a career as a country star, she chose to become a teacher.
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 to perform on radio, which in turn led to the creation of a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
From 1979 onwards, Smith started to openly express her feminine side. One of her songs called "Still a Woman," which was featured in her album titled A Woman, made a significant impact by being exceptionally bold.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The airplane is set to take off tonight / Hold on tight as we soar through the sky / Remember, I am still a woman."
Smith's album, Just Margo, released in 1979, had a bold cover that depicted her wearing just a satin robe. This was considered daring at the time, although in 2024, the outfit would be more reminiscent of a housecoat. As her popularity on country radio declined, Smith's willingness to openly discuss sex and incorporate more provocative elements into her live performances helped boost ticket sales.
After some time, she abruptly returned to her role as a teacher in Ohio and expressed feelings of remorse for this particular phase in her life. It is mentioned by Music Row that in 1983, she began to adopt the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later, she transitioned towards a more conservative stance. Alongside her daughter Holly, she formed a successful Christian country duo named Margo Smith and Holly.
Smith relocated to Florida during her later years where she dedicated herself to the art of yodeling. She made a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with her most notable student being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent 2006. Eventually, she returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
Recently, she had experienced a stroke, which occurred only a few days ago. Smith leaves behind her husband, Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other relatives.
The family is requesting that instead of sending flowers, individuals make a contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
40 country singers and songwriters who passed away at a young age are being remembered and honored. The gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes.
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