Daily Inspiration: Meet Candace Bellamy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Bellamy.

Candace, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. When that dream came true, I automatically assumed it would be my life but it became apparent very quickly I needed a hobby. I had always loved music and I started taking voice lessons. My love of music continued to grow and my friend John said to me, “if you really want to make music and be in bands, you need to move to Austin, TX, the live music capital of the world”. I flew to Austin, fell in love with the city, went back to TN where I was living, sold my home and moved to Austin. The first band I auditioned for lead singer hired me. It was an incredible learning experience, fronting a band solo and singing forty songs a night. That experience led to other bands, a decision to attend a one year music program for working musicians at UT Austin and ultimately to songwriting and forming my own band, The Candace Bellamy Band. Prior to the pandemic the band performed around Austin at One2One, The Airport, Central Market and at various private events. In 2018, I had the opportunity to play Roberta Flack in The Voices of Donny Hathaway, which premiered at Ground Floor Theatre in Austin. Being a huge fan of Roberta Flack, this opportunity was a highlight of my music career.

Another project I am currently working on is Healer, a documentary about the life of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the first African American Surgeon General of the United States. My personal search for inspiration led me to Dr. Elders’ story. Since 2018, my team and I have been filming the documentary with plans to complete the film this year. It has been the honor of a lifetime to meet and get to know Dr. Elders and at 87 years young, she continues to be a force of nature. And while at times it is challenging balancing my projects and working full time as a medical doctor, I have loved every minute of it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I always knew I would be a doctor, but it was without question one of the hardest things I have done, full of late  nights studying, countless tests and long shifts at the hospital. Another challenging moment in my medical career was the first time I experienced burnout. I didn’t know if I would be able to continue practicing medicine. I took time off to reevaluate and realized that medicine was important to me but so was music, and ultimately film, which helped to provide a balance in my life. The pandemic did not affect my medical job as I was already teleworking but it stopped live performances which was hard. Some of the ways I continued to make music during the pandemic was recording in my home studio that my keyboard player helped me set up. He and I have been able to continue to release music and have found creative ways to work together. The pandemic limited filming for the documentary but also showed me why this film should be made.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work full time as a Family Practice Physician for the military and the best part of my job has always been the people and working to create positive change that results in better health and improved quality of life. Music and filmmaking, my other passions, are also outlets that allow me to express positivity. My original music, much of it co-written with Ruth Carter and Jimi Calhoun, is about love, family and faith. And the documentary I am currently filming is about Dr. Joycelyn Elders, a woman who despite the most humble of beginnings (she grew up poor with no electricity or running water), rose to become the highest-ranking medical professional in the nation.

I am most proud of stepping out of my comfort zone to create a life that best works for me especially when I had a different, more traditional plan for my life.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was somewhat shy, serious about school and loved spending time with my family. My mom was my encourager and always told me I could do and be anything and I believed her.

Contact Info:

• Email: healermd2020@gmail.com
• Website: https://candacebellamy.com (music website)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singercandacebellamy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/singercandacebellamy
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CandaceBellamy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CandaceBellamyMusic
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cbell4770
• Other: http://www.healermd.com (documentary website)

Image Credits
Noel Del Rio- One2One photo Tierra Denae Fisher-Black and white photo Hannah Varnell-red/black dress at night (main photo) and blue dress/microphone Lavaughanstudio Photography -Shaunita Ross, red dress, sitting