Margo Smith

Margo Smith (born Betty Lou Miller; April 9, 1939 – January 23, 2024) was an American country and Christian music singer–songwriter.

Smith was born Betty Lou Miller in Dayton, Ohio, on April 9, 1939.

For most of her career, Smith told the press that she was born in 1942, however it was later confirmed she was born in 1939.

According to relatives, Smith lied about her age to make herself appear younger.

She was raised on a farm outside the Dayton city limits.

She had been interested in performing since childhood, especially after watching country singers on the local television show, Midwestern Hayride. At an early age, she learned how to yodel, which became a part of her performing style.

In high school, she sang as part of a trio called the Apple Sisters.

However, Smith chose to pursue teaching professionally.

She graduated from Wittenberg University with a major in elementary education.

After graduating, she taught kindergarten for five years and then briefly taught third grade for two years.

She had several years of country success during the 1970s, which included two number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

She had further hits in the 1970s with songs like "Take My Breath Away" and "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You".

She then returned to kindergarten by the early 1970s.

Although teaching full-time, Smith found ways to incorporate music into her classroom.

She often wrote songs that would be embedded into her lessons.

Learning to perform the ukulele, Smith often used it to calm energetic children in her class.

Smith started performing professionally in her mid thirties.

Under her married name, Bette Smith, she began singing at PTA meetings and on local radio broadcasts.

Her performances developed a local following and she eventually recorded a demo record.

In 1971, she released her first album titled I'm a Lady and developed a following.

Under the same name she released her debut album in 1971 titled I'm a Lady. The record was issued on Nashville North Records and contained a total of 12 tracks.

Eight of the album's songs were composed by Smith herself and also featured covers of gospel recordings, including "In the Garden."

Smith also released four singles on the Chart and Sugar Hill labels during this period.

At the same time, Smith maintained her full-time teaching career, working at Westlake Elementary School in New Carlisle, Ohio.

She also took several graduate courses and painted landscapes during her free time.

By 1975, Smith had signed with 20th Century Fox Records and had her first major hit on the country charts with the song "There I Said It."

In 1979, Smith released the single "Still a Woman" and made significant changes to her musical persona.

The transition helped to briefly elevate Smith's commercial country music career and she had further hits.

By the early 1980s, Smith regretted making stylistic changes to her career and left her recording contract.

She released music independently during the 1980s while also issuing albums through major labels.

In the 1990s, she transitioned towards the Christian market and issued two successful albums.

She is also known for her yodeling vocal skills and is often referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler".

Smith was born and raised in Ohio.

During her childhood she learned how to sing and yodel.

After graduating high school, Smith chose to pursue a career in education.

For nearly a decade Smith taught elementary school and started a family with her first husband.

In her thirties, she decided to begin a singing career full-time and also started songwriting.

In the 1990s, Smith transitioned towards Christian music and recording two albums with her daughter, Holly.

The pair won awards for their collaborative music and performed for several years.

In later years, Smith continued performing as a solo act at her residence in Florida.