Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who gained popularity in the late 1970s and was later nicknamed "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, she achieved great success with numerous country and Christian hits, leaving behind a remarkable collection of music.
Betty Lou Miller, who later became known as Smith, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her passion for performing was ignited after watching a television show in her local area. She even developed the skill of yodeling at a young age. However, despite her interest in pursuing a career as a country star, she ultimately made the decision to become a teacher.
According to AllMusic, her unique journey towards fame started when she began singing in her classroom and later during meetings organized by the parent-teacher association. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which ultimately resulted in her creating a demo record and securing a recording contract.
Starting in 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity. One of her songs called "Still a Woman," which was featured in her A Woman album, was particularly daring and even reached the Top 10 charts.
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The airplane is going to take off tonight / Brace yourself tightly as we embark on this journey / I am a woman, and I remain true to my identity."
In 1979, Smith's album called "Just Margo" had a bold cover featuring her wearing only a satin robe. At that time, this was considered daring, although in 2024, it might look more like a housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, Margo's openness about sexuality and her daring performances on stage helped boost ticket sales.
After some time, she unexpectedly reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and showed remorse for this period 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 a more conservative stance. Alongside her daughter Holly, she transformed into Margo Smith and Holly, a successful Christian country duo that received awards.
Smith relocated to Florida during the later stages of her life where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She generated income by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with her most notable student being Taylor Ware, the runner-up of America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, she returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
A few days ago, she had experienced a stroke. Smith is survived by her husband Richard Cammeron, as well as one son, two daughters, and other members of her extended family.
Instead of sending flowers, the family would appreciate it if you could make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In Memoriam: 40 Country Singers and Songwriters Taken from Us Prematurely
Gallery Attribution: Billy Dukes
Additional content can be found on Taste of Country's website. For more information,