Local to showcase music this summer BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer Tina Moss WEST LONG BRANCH - Borough native Tina Moss is coming back to New Jersey this summer and will be sharing her success in music with the local community. Moss released her first CD in December, titled "Celebrate!," and will be performing songs from the album at several churches and other locations in the surrounding area this summer. "It's contemporary Christian in a folk/pop style," said Moss about her first released album. She describes the music as being "upbeat, tranquil, peaceful, soothing, uplifting and happy." Moss currently lives in Myakka City, Fla., with her husband Jim. Moss writes, sings and plays guitar and has always recorded her original songs on cassette tapes. In 2000, she upgraded to digital and began to see her dream of releasing a CD come to light. "I didn't stop until the dream came true," Moss said. "I went digital and bought a home recording studio. "God gave me the gifts, passion, strength, people to help and the resources to make it all happen," she added. The CD encompasses a collection ofMoss' original work. There is one song on the CD that was written by one of Moss' guitar students. "My guitar student wrote it when she was 12 and I loved it so much and she gave me permission to include it on the album," Moss said. Although semiretired, Moss and her husband own a commercial citrus grove and volunteer at an Alzheimer's facility. Moss also continues to teach guitar. "The Lord inspires me as I worship him in song and on my guitar," Moss said about her work. "Some [of the songs] I wrote for my dad after he passed away. "[Other songs I wrote] for a friend whose home was rebuilt after totally destroyed by fire," she said. The release of the album is the product of several years of hard work, according to Moss. "This album has been an ongoing project that started in New Jersey about five years ago. "It was abruptly halted when my husband Jim and I moved to Myakka City in May of 2004," Moss said. "It was impossible to continue work on the album with all the major life changes." Then Moss was introduced to a pastor who had a professional home recording studio. "Spiritual sparks flew," she said. "We mixed and produced the CD." Moss will be coming back toWest Long Branch in August and said she is ready to perform the music from her CD. For more information, contact Moss at (941) 322- 0373 or e-mail at tmoss@mailmt.com. To listen toMoss'CD, visit CDbaby.com and search Tina Moss.