Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who was often referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, which peaked in the late 1970s, she consistently produced chart-topping country and Christian songs, leaving behind a significant collection of successful hits.
Betty Lou Miller, originally from Dayton, Ohio, adopted the stage name Smith. Her passion for performing was ignited after watching a television program in her local area. Despite developing a skill for yodeling at a young age, she made the decision to pursue a career in teaching rather than pursuing her aspiration of becoming a country music sensation.
According to AllMusic, the singer's unique journey towards fame began when she first started singing in her classroom and later during meetings held by the parent teacher association. This eventually led to opportunities to perform on radio, which then resulted in her creating a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Starting from 1979, Smith started to openly express her feminine identity in more noticeable ways. One of her songs, "Still a Woman," from her album titled A Woman, gained significant popularity and was seen as a courageous and daring move.
At the chorus, she sings about closing the door, turning off the light, and getting ready to fly on a plane. She emphasizes the importance of holding on tightly during takeoff. Throughout it all, she wants to remind everyone that she is still a woman.
In 1979, Smith released her album "Just Margo" with a bold cover featuring her wearing only a satin robe. This was considered daring at the time, although by 2024, the outfit may be seen as more of a housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, Smith's openness about sexuality and provocative performances helped boost ticket sales for her concerts.
After a sudden transformation, she returned to her role as a teacher from Ohio and expressed feelings of 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 mindset. Alongside her daughter Holly, she formed the duo Margo Smith and Holly, which gained recognition as an award-winning Christian country act.
During the later stages of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She made a living by imparting her yodeling skills to others, with one of her notable students 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.
Recently, she experienced a stroke only a couple of days ago. Smith's husband, Richard Cammeron, and her extended family, along with their son and two daughters, continue to live on.
Instead of sending flowers, the family is kindly requesting that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
40 country singers and songwriters who passed away prematurely are being remembered. The credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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