Treva Blomquist, 32, has come a long way since she graduated from W.F. West High School in 1997 and Centralia College in 1999 with dreams of becoming a professional musician.

Fortunately, her travels to Nashville, and this weekend, back to Chehalis for a rare hometown concert have only seen her talent and desire increase.

Her newly pressed third album, a varied and polished effort called These Fading Things, shows off a style she calls Americana Folk Rock.

At times her voice recalls the stylings of Jewel; at others, Sheryl Crow. On other tracks the sound is her own alone. Full disclosure here: my family has known the Blomquists for years, and Ive followed her career with interest.

Her return to Chehalis was a great chance for me to connect with her music, and I was impressed. I found myself humming the chorus to her songs after a single listen; now that Ive had a chance to get to know the CD over the past few days, Ive been surprised by the variety of the sound hints of folk, blues, jazz, rock, pop, country and traditional. The toy piano she plays on one track is just quirky, and it works.

Overall, the album is catchy, honest and heartfelt, the kind of CD I would put on heavy rotation.

Blomquist is now married with a 9-month-old child (she found out she was pregnant a week before going into the studio to record her latest CD). She lives in Arkansas and commuted to Nashville to record her album.

Shes looking forward to her show tonight but admits to butterflies in her stomach when she plays for her friends and family, she told me in an email interview.

I dont normally get nervous, but when Im playing for people I know and love, I get nervous, she said. Id rather play for a thousand people I dont know than 10 people I do know.

An edited transcript of our email exchange:

The Chronicle: The styles on the different tracks of your new CD vary so much how does a musician like you find a place in the genre-fied world of modern music, particularly in Nashville?

Treva Blomquist: Well, Im a songwriter at heart and Ive always hated the feeling of being put in a box. I like to play around with different genres. I tried to be consistent, so that the albums content feels like it belongs together, but I also wanted to be sure that each song was represented the best it could be represented.

Chronicle: Where are you in your musical career and where do you hope to go?

Blomquist: Im currently a do-it-yourself musician. I am my own publishing company, record label, booking agent and publicist. Its challenging because Id rather be focusing all my energy on writing songs, creating music, and performing. Its bittersweet its nice to have complete control over the direction my career goes, but there are many times when I wish I had a music industry professional with more experience than me to guide some of my decisions.

Chronicle: Are you pushing forward in a particular genre Christian, country, folk, blues and if not, what place do you see for yourself being a paid entertainer?

Blomquist: I call my music Americana folk rock, but I feel there are elements of country and blues in it. And because Im a Christian, my values and perspective on life are often reflected in the songs I write.

Chronicle: Do you work another job? Is music self-sustaining for you?

Blomquist: I dont work another job. I am a stay-at-home mom and a performing singer-songwriter and I feel lucky and blessed that this is what I get to do every day.

Chronicle: Do you have contact in Nashville with any other Lewis County folks? We had a story a few months about Brandy Clark of Morton and her song, The Day I Got Divorced, that was recorded by Reba McEntire.

Blomquist: I do know Brandy Clark and have played shows with her in Nashville. We talked about trying to do a show in Lewis County together but havent been able to coordinate our schedules. Shes an incredible writer and is doing really well in Nashville.

Chronicle: What do you think about Chehalis now that youve been gone for a while? Do you have any hopes or expectations for your concert at the Matrix Coffeehouse tonight?

Blomquist: I enjoy coming home to see family. Truthfully, I couldnt wait to get out of Chehalis. But now I get so excited to come back. Chehalis feels the same to me. I know that its changed, and I can see the changes each time I return but when I come home, it feels like I never left, and I like that.