A physician by day and a soul singer by night, Candace took up singing as a hobby 10 years ago, paying dues in cover bands, musical theater (her role in an R&B version of “Porgy & Bess” impressed the New York Times), and with a one-woman show where she told stories of her life in between tunes. Bellamy’s path led to Ruth Carter (composer for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Palmer, and John Mayall), bass playing legend Jimi Calhoun (player with Dr. John, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Wilson Pickett, Sly Stone) and Jake Langley (Roberta Flack, Willie Nelson, k.d. lang), who mentored her, and became her co-writers. “It was when we got together for the first time to write that I realized the depth of their backgrounds,” Bellamy recalls. “They made me feel comfortable.” Bellamy can say she’s a singer just as easily as she can say she’s a doctor. “Several people have asked why I am pursuing music when I already have a good job,” she muses. “The answer is simple – because I love it.”