Shelley James opens a new chapter.(Entertainment)

Byline: LEWIS TAYLOR The Register-Guard

THERE WAS a time, not long ago, when living in Eugene was a source of unhappiness for Shelley James.

"I tried to get us out of here for a long time," James said. `People all around us were saying, `God, I can't believe you haven't made it yet,' and, `Are you getting your CD out there?' and, `Are you ever going to move to L.A.?'

`We always felt the push - that little anxiety of, `Should we go?' `Will we go to L.A. or go move to Nashville and just pound on doors for a couple of years?' And that's when we realized, `You know what, we're actually really happy here.' '

The city that once seemed like a big, orange roadblock in the middle of James' musical career has since become a toll bridge; although she's paid the price for living here, she also has reaped the rewards. The pearly voiced singer may not have a recording contract or a gold record on her wall, but she has managed to make a living from her music, and she's become one of Eugene's most visible performers.

"In a world of artifice, where we're being sold something every day, it's nice to be sold something that's real. We all hunger for that and crave that, and I think Shelley delivers," said Eugene singer-songwriter Mark Alan, a frequent collaborator of James'. "It's the real deal."

Through the strength of her singing and the sheer enthusiasm of her performances, James, 36, has built a sizable fan base. Last year, she played the grand opening of the McDonald Theatre. This year, she was the final act in the Island Park summer music series. Maybe you've seen the ubiquitous bumper stickers for her band, Shelley James …