Born and bred in Carroll County, singer and songwriter Erin James has spent the past nine years chasing her dream in Nashville. James is bringing her band home to perform in a free concert Monday night at the St. John Parish carnival at 7 p.m.

"Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to be in music," James said. "I had my doubts over the years, it's not an easy path, but I can't imagine doing anything else." 

A Taylorsville native, James attended Winfield Elementary, New Windsor Middle and South Carroll High School. James earned a nursing degree from Frederick Community College before moving to Nashville. This "second career" as an emergency room nurse allowed her to support herself while pursuing her music career. 

In 2009, James put her solo career on hold and toured with girl trio Chasing Dixie, which included America Idol finalist Alaina Whitaker and violinist Andrea Young, according to a news release. The group opened for county music legends including Brooks and Dunn, Rascall Flatts, Darius Rucker, Keith Anderson, Jason Aldean, Loggins and Messina, Cowboy Troy and more.

The group disbanded in mid-2010 and James returned to her songwriting roots and put her solo career back on the front burner.

James told Patch in a phone interview that she just finished recording her new album produced by Grammy Award and Academy of Country Music award winner Brent Mason. She said she writes her own songs, a rarity in the industry. 

"Writing that last line of a song I'm proud of is a good feeling of completion," James said. "I wrote every song on this record by myself." 

After her Maryland performances, James will head back to Nashville and then to the Midwest this summer. Later this year, James said she is scheduled to tour England, Ireland and Scotland and will appear on the Ireland Opry. Her new album is slated for release this summer. 

James currently lives in Nashville with her fiance, Cody Leppo, another Westminster native who has found musical success in Nashville.