Renowned country singer Margo Smith has passed away at the age of 84. Smith, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and earned the nickname "The Tennessee Yodeler," had a successful career with a repertoire of country and Christian hits.
Betty Lou Miller, who later became 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 decision to pursue a career in teaching instead of following her dream of becoming a country star.
According to AllMusic, the artist's unique journey to fame started when she began singing in her classroom and later during parent teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which further resulted in her creating a demo record and securing a recording contract.
Starting from 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity in a more noticeable manner. The song "Still a Woman," which was a popular track from her album titled A Woman, was particularly daring and confident.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The plane is set to take off tonight / Brace yourself as we soar through the skies / Remember, I am still a woman."
In Smith's album titled "Just Margo" from 1979, she appeared on the cover wearing a satin robe, which was considered bold at that time. However, by 2024, the outfit might be perceived more like a housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, her openness about sexuality and her provocative concert performances helped boost ticket sales.
Suddenly, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed feelings of regret about this period in her life. According to Music Row, in 1983 she began to adopt the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but as time went on, she transitioned into more conservative beliefs. Alongside her daughter Holly, she formed the duo Margo Smith and Holly, which gained recognition and awards for their Christian country music.
During the later stage of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She also made a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with one of her most well-known students being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, she moved back to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
Recently, she experienced a stroke only a short time 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 requesting that people make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
40 country singers and songwriters who passed away prematurely are being remembered and honored. This gallery is credited to Billy Dukes.
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