Margo Smith life and biography

Margo Smith, born Betty Lou Miller is an American Country Music Singer. In the 1970s, she was a popular female Country vocalist, acquiring two No. 1 hits on the Country charts during that time, "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" and "It Only Hurts for a Little While", both Country music remakes of previous Pop music standards.

The multi-talented Margo Smith started out as a kindergarten teacher who sang folk and country songs to her students; she frequently wrote the songs herself. Smith moved to singing at PTA meetings and later on radio broadcasts. She developed a following, cut a demo and signed to 20th Century Fox Records in 1975, where she had a major hit with her own "There I Said It." Her second single, "Paper Lovin'," made the Top 30, and she recorded an album. Unfortunately, the label soon folded its Nashville division and she was cut free. She signed with Warner Brothers the following year and had three Top Ten singles through 1977, including "Take My Breath Away" and her first number one, "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You." The following year, she had another chart-topper with "It Only Hurts for a Little While," and the follow-up "Little Things Mean a Lot" was another major hit. She and producer Norro Wilson duetted as Margo & Norro for "So Close Again," which reached the middle of the charts. Through the end of the decade, Smith toured heavily with her band Night Flight, opening for such artists as Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers and Charley Pride. In 1979, Smith had two major hits and decided to affect a sexier image, appearing in only a satin robe on the cover of her album Just Margo. She had three more hits that year, including "Cup of Tea," a duet with Rex Allen, Jr.

Listen to Margo Smith's single "It Only Hurts for a Little While"



In the early '80s, Smith reverted to her previous wholesome image. She moved to the AMI label in 1982, but had no chart singles. She continued label-hopping through 1985 with only one minor hit, "Everyday People," a duet with Tom Grant. That year, she recorded The Best of the Tennessee Yodeler, a tribute to yodeler Bonnie Lou, and sold it on television. Smith then recorded for Cammeron Records, a label created by her manager, but had no chart hits until 1988 with another minor entry, "Echo Me." During the '80s, she acted on TNN's I-40 Paradise. She and her daughter formed a gospel duo; as Margo Smith & Holly, they recorded for Homeland Records and found success on contemporary Christian radio.

In 1985, she released an album entitled The Best of the Tennessee Yodeler, which paid a tribute to one of Smith's favorite singers, Bonnie Lou. The album was sold on television. Her last hit on the national charts came in 1988 was with the minor hit "Echo Me" on Playback Records.

She switched over to her Cammeron Records and had no major success. By this time, her chart success was virtually gone. She also briefly acted on the TNN show I-40 Paradise. She and her daughter, Holly became a Christian Music group, named "Margo Smith and Holly", and they recorded for Homeland Records. She and her daughter were popular Christian singers throughout much of the 1980s. They even had some Christian hits. Her daughter, now married, Holly Watson continues her career as a TV spokeswoman. She recorded on and off for labels in the 1990s. Most recently, Smith contributed her vocals to the CD, The Littlest Star: A Musical Story, which is also a picture book. In 2005, she released a new album, her first in many years called Nothing to Lose, produced by Dave Moody and released by Lamon Records.

Today, Smith sometimes makes appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, and also does appearances at Dollywood (founded by Dolly Parton). She also continues to tour. Margo Smith is also a professional yodeler. One of her students, Taylor Ware, was the runner-up on the NBC show America's Got Talent in August 2006. Today, she is still married to Richard Cammeron, and they live in Brentwood, Tennessee.

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