Margo Smith, a renowned country singer, has passed away at the age of 84. She was a vibrant artist in the late 1970s, achieving great success on the music charts. Margo, affectionately referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler," had a remarkable collection of both country and Christian hits.
Betty Lou Miller, originally from Dayton, Ohio, was given the name Smith. She discovered her passion for performing after watching a television show in her local community. At a young age, she even acquired the skill of yodeling. However, instead of pursuing a career as a country star, she made the choice to become a teacher.
According to AllMusic, the singer's journey to fame took an unconventional route as it started with her singing in her classroom and later during parent-teacher association meetings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which in turn resulted in her creating a demo record and securing a recording contract.
Smith started to openly express her femininity in a more pronounced manner starting from 1979. One example of this was her Top 10 hit song called "Still a Woman," which was featured in her album titled A Woman. This song stood out for its
In the chorus, she sings, "Simply close the door and switch off the light. The plane will be taking off tonight. Brace yourself as we soar through the skies. Remember, I am still a woman."
In the cover of Smith's album "Just Margo" released in 1979, she appeared wearing a satin robe, which was considered bold at that time. However, in 2024, the outfit might be seen more as a casual housecoat. Despite her declining popularity on country radio, her openness about sexuality and her daring concert performances helped boost ticket sales.
Suddenly, she returned to her previous role as a teacher from Ohio and expressed her remorse for this particular phase in her life. According to Music Row, in 1983, she began to fully adopt the persona of the Tennessee Yodeler, but as time went on, she transitioned into a more conservative direction. Alongside her daughter Holly, she transformed into Margo Smith and Holly, a successful Christian country duo that received awards for their music.
During the later stages 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 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.
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 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 for their contributions to the music industry. The credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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