Cristina Lynn

Singer and songwriter Cristina Lynn says, "Anytime I’m talking about my music, I’m home."

Lynn, a 1989 graduate of East Limestone High School and resident of Madison, has been more actively pursuing a career in music since January.

"Basically, all of my life I have wanted to sing," said Lynn, whose real name is Cristina Lynn Sims Worcester.

Singing hasn’t been her only gig. She has worked as a registered nurse, admitting clerk, dental assistant and salesperson. Her family and friends have encouraged her new career. Her husband, Kevin, has been her rock and her 5-year-old son, Ethan, has been just as encouraging, she said.

This year, Lynn recorded four original songs at Sound Cell recording studio in Huntsville. She has performed at festivals and events. Her first big performance was July 3, when she performed her debut concert in Madison. She said she has never felt more comfortable in her skin than during that performance.

"We’re kind of a nice, fresh sound of country music," Lynn said of her singing and David Sheppard’s composition and acoustic guitar.

Sheppard, who is from Memphis but lives in Huntsville, mainly writes the music and melodies with basic rhythm tracks on the acoustic guitar. He can also play several other instrument including the mandolin and banjo. The two met in 2004.

While Lynn does sing fast-paced songs, she describes herself as "more of a ballad person."

Lynn has worked with classic rock cover bands MP5 and Night Train.

She has been songwriting for only a couple of years. It is not something she considers difficult, but she has to be inspired by something.

"There’s a song everywhere you look," she said.

On her self-titled CD, Lynn’s inspiration came from several people who have been close to her in her life, including her parents who inspired the song "The One."

Lynn has also been inspired by the work of both Patsy Cline and Hank Williams Sr., according to her Web site, www.cristinalynn.com.

While things are just getting started for Lynn, in five years she hopes to be touring, either independently or with a record label. For now, she continues to hone her skills. By the end of the year, she hopes to have the complete CD recorded.

Lynn wants to make a good impression on people, and she considers her music "family appropriate."

"I want them to be able to sit down and talk about Cristina Lynn with their whole family," she said.

She said she wants to touch people’s hearts.
- Athens News Courier