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Friday, November 11, 2011

Belinda Womack


Singing in clubs at the age of eleven, Belinda Womack has become a beloved vocalist in the Tampa Bay Area.  Mostly known for her smooth jazz sound, Belinda has sung almost every genre of music over the past 47 years.

Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, Belinda knew what she wanted at a very young age.  Living in the south during the civil rights era, she experienced a lot of racism and dangerous situations; but the one thing that could not be taken from her was her voice.  She sang in nightclubs with her Uncle Jerry, starting at the age of eleven, and then three days after she graduated from high school, she decided to move to Detroit, before going to Savannah State.  Belinda attended Savannah State from 1970-1972, until she got sick and had to give up her scholarship.  Since her grandparents could not afford paying her tuition for her, Belinda decided to move back to Augusta, and start singing with her uncle again.  After taking a year off, Belinda went back to school at the Medical College of Georgia in 1973, obtaining her associates degree.  Accomplishing this was great for Belinda, but in a couple of years, her degree would come second to her singing career.

In 1976, Belinda, then known as Belinda West, moved to Nashville, and worked for Combine Recording Studios.  Here she was able to do voice-overs, sound a-like tapes, and sing back up tracks for Amy Grant, on her album Never Alone.  She also got the opportunity to work for, RCA records, doing commercials and voice-over talent for Ron-Joy Mad Lab.  Two years after moving to Nashville, while traveling, she met a man named Derek Womack, and seven weeks later, they were married.  Belinda continued to work for RCA records, and in 1980 got her big break, signing a seven-year record deal, and recording her first hit.  Her first record consisted of two songs, Seabiscuit In The Fifth and Easy.  With great success for being her first record, Seabiscuit In The Fifth made it to number 12 on the billboard charts, and number 14 on the dance billboard charts.  At the same time as her success, in July of 1980, Belinda and her husband had a baby boy.  She loved singing,  but traveling the country with her son and husband was not an ideal lifestyle for her. Three years after she signed her contract, she decided to leave RCA records and establish herself as a local artist, in Tampa, Fl.

For the past 31 years, Belinda Womack, has graced the community with her voice, performing in clubs, festivals, and churches.  Jazz was her love when she began singing in Tampa, but over the years she has grown to love a stronger power, God.  She has been the worship director at, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, and Wellspring United Methodist Church.  She also has started her own ministry called Pinehills.  This is a community choir that ministers around the bay area, and has taken them as far as Sweden.  This has become her true passion, to spread the gospel to those around her, through her voice, and her words, by saying, “I am just one body, tryin’ to tell everybody, about somebody, who can save everybody.”

Belinda has accumulated many honors and awards on her behalf.  She has received five “Florida Jammy” awards, for best vocalist, and best jazz band, the Woman of the Year award from the Seroptomists of Florida, the Tribute to Women in the Arts award, the Woman of Distinction award from the Suncoast Girl Scout Council of Florida, and that is only naming a few.  Belinda has also done commercials for, Burger King, Coors Beer, Schlitz malt liqueur, car dealerships, furniture stores, Channel 13 and many more.

Still a hot commodity in the Tampa Bay Area, Belinda has recently been on tour with the Musical David, performed a jazz and gospel concert in Sweden, and on November 4th was the headliner for the Ybor Jazz Festival.  You can see Belinda every Friday night, at Timpano’s Chop House, in Hyde Park Village, starting at 7:30pm.




Belinda Womack is an amazing talent, who has touched thousands of people with her voice, and loving spirit.  She always puts others before herself, and has stayed true to what she believes in.  If you have not gotten the opportunity to hear her music, you are missing out on a legend.  I can promise you that once you are graced with her voice, you will always remember the name Belinda Womack.

17 comments:

Deborah Siladie said...

Wonderful blog about an amazing woman of God! I love the format you used with the video and active links! Very well done!

Sounds for Thought said...

Thank you Deborah!

Belinda said...

Ericka ... How humbling and gracious. How many moms can say that their daughter cares about sharing with the world her mom's life??? I realize how blessed I am and I thank God for the woman He shaped you into becoming. I love you. MOM

Derek said...

Nice job sister!!!!!

Grace said...

Wow! Great job Ericka! She passed all that great talent to her children as well! You all are amazing!

Sierra said...

Great job!! Such a talented family!! Love to you all!! <3

Debbie said...

The creative format of this blog is incredible and I have to agree this is a great tribute about an amazing Woman of God. I have been graced by her voice and by her ministry. Blessings to you all.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful writing Ericka! I know you will make the grade. Keep up the good work Belinda. You guys just continue to PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens.

Love Auntie Nell

Kathie Diffenderfer said...

Great Job Ericka. Your mom is so proud of her children. Has every right to be. Love to all.
Kathie D.

Vicki said...

Wow! It takes a woman! Powerful song, beautiful woman and website! So inspiring. What a great mother daughter team. Ericka, great job of telling the story in such an engaging way and honoring your Mom. I'm proud of you both! Love you! Vicki

Syvie said...

Ericka, you're a precious gem! Belinda, indeed refined as pure gold! You both exemplify excellence in the gifts and talents our father in heaven has given. My prayer is that you never grow weary in your well doing. With the love of Christ in me to you, your sistah friend, Syvie

Unknown said...

This is one of the most beautiful things I've stumbled accross - I just heard 'Seabiscuit in the Fifth' for the first time and I jus had to find out whose voice that was.. thank you for sharing this amazing blog - huge love from Australia xox

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Unknown said...

Hello Ms Belinda West Womack, I met you in the 80's when you sang Seabiscuit in the Fifth in a small club in Beaumont Texas. While you were singing, I was dancing next to your stage and then you started dancing with me. Later in the evening I had the oppertunity to meet and speak with you. You asked me what I "did" and I told you I was in fashion design. You laughed and told me that you wanted to take me to do some fashion design for you.
I am telling you this memory of mine in the remote chance it may spark a memory, hopefully make you laugh a little. Also I just wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful talent. Seabiscuit was my favorite song long before I met you and I would love the opportunity to hear you sing live again.
Best,
Keith

Unknown said...

Hi Belinda....so happy to see your successes. It's been awhile, since Linda I visited you and your family, when the kids were small. Remember the bucket seat chairs......Linda and still chuckle. My how time has flown. I just retired from Delta after 43 years.From the 3 kids, we now have 7 grandkids, some in college, others in diapers.
We always loved your singing. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family........Shawn A. Fleming( part of that 80's Delta Cabin Service team). we now have been in ATL for 21 years and loving it. Spicy city. It's been good

Willie and Sheryle Wilkerson said...

Hi Belinda. I don't know if you remember this but YOU were the one who brought my wife and I to HPUMC back in 1997 with your contemporary gospel singing and then we soon after joined the wonderful church. Thanks for your inspiration and everything you do for the Tampa Bay community

Anonymous said...

Great job Rock now in Augusta been along time since Savannah state l am proud of U

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