Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who gained popularity in the late 1970s and was fondly referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, Smith created a remarkable collection of country and Christian music, leaving behind a legacy of chart-topping hits.
Betty Lou Miller, originally from Dayton, Ohio, was given the name Smith. She developed a passion for performing after being influenced by a television show in her community. Even though she acquired the skill of yodeling at a young age, she made the choice to pursue a career in teaching instead of pursuing her aspirations of becoming a country music star.
According to AllMusic, her unique journey towards fame started when she first began singing in her classroom and later at parent-teacher association meetings. This eventually led to opportunities to perform on radio, which in turn resulted in the creation of a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Starting in 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity. "Still a Woman," a popular song from her album called A Woman, was particularly daring.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The airplane is scheduled to take off tonight / Hold on tightly as we embark on this journey / Despite everything, I am still a woman."
In 1979, Smith's album "Just Margo" had a bold cover featuring her wearing a satin robe, which was considered daring at the time. However, in 2024, the outfit may appear more like a housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, Smith's openness about sex and her provocative concert performances helped boost ticket sales.
Suddenly, she reverted back to her role as a teacher from Ohio and expressed remorse for this particular phase of her life. According to Music Row, in 1983, she began adopting the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but ten years later, she transitioned towards more conservative beliefs. Alongside her daughter Holly, she transformed into Margo Smith and Holly, a successful Christian country duo that received accolades.
During the later stages of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She made a living by instructing others on how to yodel, with one of her notable students being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, she returned to Nashville, but sadly passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
A stroke had occurred only a few days ago. Smith's husband, Richard Cammeron, and her extended family, including one son and two daughters, are now left behind after her passing.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is kindly requesting that donations are made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Credit for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
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