Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who gained fame in the late 1970s and was often referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, she created an extensive collection of country and Christian music that achieved significant success on the charts.
Smith, originally known as Betty Lou Miller, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her passion for performing was ignited after watching a television program 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 following her dream of becoming a country music star.
According to AllMusic, her journey to fame took a unique turn when she began showcasing her singing talent in her classroom and later during parent-teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, and as a result, she was able to create a demo record, ultimately leading to the signing of a recording contract.
Starting in 1979, Smith started to express her femininity more openly. One of the remarkable and courageous acts she took was releasing a Top 10 hit called "Still a Woman" from her album titled A Woman.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The plane is scheduled to take off tonight / Buckle up and hold on tight / I am still a woman."
In 1979, Smith's album called "Just Margo" had a bold cover featuring her wearing only a satin robe. This was considered daring at the time, although in 2024, the outfit would be more commonly seen as a housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, her openness about sex and her provocative stage performances helped boost ticket sales.
Out of nowhere, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed feelings of remorse about this phase in her life. According to Music Row, 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 duo named Margo Smith and Holly, which received awards for their music.
Smith relocated to Florida during the later stage of her life. She dedicated herself to the art of yodeling and made a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others. One of her notable students was Taylor Ware, who was the runner-up on America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, Smith returned to Nashville, but unfortunately, she passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
A stroke had occurred only a few days ago. Smith's death leaves behind her husband, Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other relatives.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is kindly requesting that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Rest in peace: 40 country singers and songwriters who passed away prematurely. Gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes.
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