While not a native of the area, Belle's early career centered on east
Tennessee and western
North Carolina. She was a performer on the Cas Walker show in
Knoxville, Tennessee, in the early 1960s, beginning that position in September 1960. In 1965, she played with
Raymond Fairchild in
Maggie Valley, North Carolina, at the
Ghost Town in the Sky. The next year, she made regular appearances on the Wheeling Jamboree in
West Virginia, performing with Betty Amos's All-Girl Band. Most notably, she performed as a member of
Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys during 1968–1975. With Jimmy, she sang lead and high baritone on multiple recordings, as well as played bass. She later toured the festival circuit with
Charlie Monroe in 1973. She toured Japan with Martin during 1975. In regards to her playing, Martin said jokingly, "She’s not very good, but we let her sing with us ‘cause we feel sorry for her." Belle died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 83. ==Awards and distinctions==