Today's yesterday and more are captured in this essence of what country music is all about. Respect for the traditional, yet also embracing the mainstream contemporary.

4 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Modern Country, COUNTRY: Country Pop



Details:
With a voice that emanates with effortless power, and delivering with purpose,
Tina Cris belts out songs that strongly evoke her roots as well as influences.
Her vocal finesse has developed to exhibit an impressive range.
âEver since I can remember, Iâve always wanted to sing. I started singing when I was three years old, performing for family and friendsâ¦and would get $1 each time to sing for my grandfatherâs friends.â Her family told her she hummed tunes before she learned to talk. She seemed destined to entertain, destined to grace the stage.
Tina grew up on a farm in Harford County, Maryland. It was there where she began tape-recording her singing and later would be proficient enough to become a soloist in church. Before long she started singing at weddings, making a name for herself in her area.
Beauty pageants became a regular part of her life between the ages of 11 and 17, when her participation in numerous competitions and shows led to various levels of achievements. She speaks proudly of her pageant successes including being named first runner-up in the Ms. Pre-Teen Maryland contest. The congenial beauty queen is a natural and is en route to captivate audiences near and far.
Even though it was eras before her time, she was into 50âs music, bobby socks, and drive-in theaters. Country music also appealed to her musical taste and there is a fond remembrance of the first concert she attended, when as a sixteen year old she went to see Hank Williams Jr. A memorable and impacting evening it was, further solidifying the desire to perform. Although her teenage years encompassed singing, acting, and modeling, singing she says, âIs where my heart is.â In high school she sang in the chorus and also performed as a soloist.
Her appreciation and admiration of singers then and now include favorites: Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Hank Williams Sr. and Jr. Alabama, Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill, Reba McIntyre, and Shania Twain.
Tinaâs special aptitudes are also showcased in her way with words as she has long been weaving them as poems. As a participant and winner of various poetry contests she took top honors in a State competition. The accolades continued recently when she had one of her poems published.
Her love for the stage led to more theatre and dramatic pursuits during her collegiate years. A change of direction ensued after college. Stepping out in the work world, she made a difference in many lives. Her love of children, and caring nature led her to become a schoolteacher for a few years. From a nurturing academic environment, Tina made a career segue-way and revealed the strength of the woman within, doing challenging work as a classification counselor at the Harford County Detention Center.
When an opportunity presented itself for her to return to her âfirst loveâ, singing, she shifted focus and began her pursuit. Exploring her talents, reaching from her respect for the traditional to embracing mainstream contemporary and adding her special touch she began working in the studio to craft the songs that are to become a key-point in her life journey.
The album produced and penned by Grammy nominee Curtis Hudson gives her a diverse palette of material to work from. She brings forth the voice to the music with sensible vocal dexterity. Among the eight song selection is the projectâs first single âStrong Womanâ. Itâs a sassy vibrant number that in many ways defines the woman. It flaunts her independence and beckons to come from a position of strength.
âSaying Goodbyeâ is an emotional tearjerker, which she said, âmade me cry when I first heard it.â
A mid-slow tempo is the base for âArguments and Disagreementsâ. A song of intense passion, loving against all odds, relative to anyone whoâs ever traveled that road. Itâs special to her for personal reasons.
âDonât Call Me Sweetheartâ is a noteworthy traditional country ballad that purports just what the title implies, in any context.
Pulling in the reins is what the uptempo driven âSlow Downâ is all about. A word of wisdom to whomever itâs applicable, especially when they are moving a little too fast.
The collection of songs seamlessly come together and is tailored to be down home or downtown. Todayâs yesterday, and more are captured in the essence of what country music is all about. Sheâs just as comfortable turning back the hands of time as she is coming back to the future. This steak and potatoes young woman also loves her Maryland crab cakes and is as comfortable on the farm as she is an urban environment. The determined vocalist is showcasing her expressions in songs. âMy influences growing up shaped me into the person I am.â
Tina Cris is a sensitive soul. For sentimental reasons, she reflects about her mom saying to her, âI could always tell what mood you were in by the songs you were singing or listening to.â Now, she has wrapped emotions into song. With great anticipation, the south gal is excited, going places, venturing in her field of dreams. The songs sheâs singing are the ones weâll be listening to and appreciating for a long time to come.