Renowned country singer Margo Smith, who was popular in the late 1970s and earned the nickname "The Tennessee Yodeler," has passed away at the age of 84. Throughout her career, she produced a remarkable collection of country and Christian music that resonated with audiences.
Betty Lou Miller, originally from Dayton, Ohio, adopted the stage name Smith. She found her passion for performing after being influenced by a television show in her hometown. Despite having learned how to yodel at a young age, Smith made the conscious choice to pursue a career in teaching rather than pursuing her dream of becoming a country star.
According to AllMusic, her unique journey to fame began when she started singing in her classroom and participating in parent-teacher association gatherings. This eventually led to opportunities for radio performances, which then resulted in her creating a demo record and ultimately securing a recording contract.
Starting from 1979, Smith started to openly express her femininity. "Still a Woman," a track from her A Woman album, gained popularity and reached the Top 10 charts, which was quite daring for its time.
She sings in the chorus, "Simply close the door and switch off the light / The plane is about to take off tonight / Hold on tightly as we soar through the sky / I am still a woman."
Smith's album Just Margo, released in 1979, had a bold cover image of her wearing a satin robe. At that time, it was considered daring, although in 2024, the outfit may be seen more as a casual housecoat. While her popularity on country radio declined, Smith's open discussions about sex and her provocative performances on stage boosted ticket sales.
Suddenly, she went back to being the teacher from Ohio and felt sorry 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 transformed into Margo Smith and Holly, a successful Christian country act that received awards.
During the latter part of her life, Smith relocated to Florida where she dedicated her time to yodeling. She earned money 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.
Just a few days ago, she 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 a donation be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In Memoriam: 40 Country Singers and Songwriters Gone Too Soon
Credits for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
Additional content from the website Taste of Country can be found here. For more updates