Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who gained popularity in the late 1970s and was affectionately referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, she left a lasting musical legacy with a repertoire that encompassed both 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 TV show she watched in her hometown. Despite acquiring yodeling skills at a young age, she made the conscious choice to pursue a career in education instead of following her aspirations of becoming a renowned country artist.
According to AllMusic, her unique journey to fame started when she began singing in her school and later during meetings organized by the parent-teacher association. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which subsequently resulted in her creating a demo record and eventually signing a recording contract.
Starting in 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity. One of her tracks called "Still a Woman" from the album A Woman became a successful Top 10 hit and was notably daring.
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 high / Remember, I am still a woman."
In 1979, Smith's album called "Just Margo" had a bold cover featuring her wearing only a satin robe. At that time, it was considered daring, although in 2024 it may seem more like a casual housecoat. Although her popularity on country radio was declining, Margo's willingness to discuss sex and incorporate provocative performances in her concerts helped increase ticket sales.
Suddenly, she reverted back to being the teacher from Ohio and expressed her disappointment with this particular phase of 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. Together with her daughter Holly, she formed the successful Christian country duo known as Margo Smith and Holly.
During the later stage of her life, Smith relocated to Florida and dedicated her time to yodeling. She generated earnings by instructing others on how to yodel, with one of her notable students being Taylor Ware, who was the runner-up in America's Got Talent in 2006. Eventually, Smith returned to Nashville and passed away on January 23 at the age of 84.
Recently, she had experienced a stroke only a few days ago. Smith's family members who continue to live on are her husband, Richard Cammeron, as well as her son, two daughters, and other relatives.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is requesting that individuals make a donation to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In Memory: 40 Country Singers and Songwriters Who Passed Away Prematurely
Acknowledgement: Billy Dukes
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