Singer-songwriter Anne E. DeChant is staying connected with her fans

Singer-songwriter Anne E. DeChant is staying connected with her fans, family and friends the best way she can during this coronavirus pandemic. The former Odd Girl Out member and Cleveland-area artist, who relocated to Nashville a dozen years ago, started posting a daily "11:30 Bathroom Break" on YouTube. The single-song performances, which appear at 12:30 p.m. EST, find the solo artist playing selections from her deep catalog. "Prior to COVID-19 we were going to start doing this on YouTube, but (the pandemic) brought an immediacy to it," said 1983 Avon Lake High School graduate DeChant, calling from East Nashville. "Gigs were getting canceled — I was supposed to be back in Northeast Ohio at Nighttown this month. I just felt like we have to reach out and stay in touch with everybody. "So initially we just set up in my bathroom, but we're going to move around the house. I'm just singing a song, which people request. There's a lot of old stuff I'm doing that I have to relearn from the past 13 years. There's also some new stuff." Part of her video chat has grown into little bits with appearances by her partner, Erin, and their often sleepy dog Guffman. DeChant also has fun checking on the toilet paper supply and also hearing how when asked the same question Alexis and Siri give different answers. After the video is uploaded, DeChant answers online comments and seeks requests for future "11:30 Bathroom Break" songs. She recently played her fishing song "Things are Looking Good Today" while giving a shout out to The Avon Lake Boat Club. Her posts are growing in views. While previous musical performances only received 50 views, DeChant said "11:30 Bathroom Break" songs regularly receive more than 400 views. "It's just grown by leaps and bounds," DeChant said. "Why it's happening is because people want a break during their day. That's what I'm hearing back. They tell me this is something they look forward to, that it gives them just a little bit of light in the day. "Nothing ever works for any other reason than something that you're doing makes people feel something, feel better. That's why this has momentum." As far as career momentum, DeChant — who has released nine studio albums — was ready to begin her latest effort before the stay-at-home order. The best-of album "Every Little Everything" is going to feature 10 previously released songs, two new tunes and one cover. "I was getting ready to start fundraising for a best-of CD," DeChant said. "We have a campaign video finished, we have artwork done and I finished singing just before we did home sheltering." It's been an interesting couple of years for DeChant, who in 2018 was in a car accident on the way back to Music City from Cleveland. Not only was her SUV totaled, but she lost her cat Adam for eight weeks before the feline was found in a small Kentucky town. Then after the tornado last month that ripped through East Nashville was only blocks from her home, the coronavirus pandemic single-handedly shut down the nation. DeChant said the "11:30 Bathroom Break" is a good way to keep her connected, but she can't wait for her next visit to Avon Lake. "It's hard for me to think I can't just drive back," DeChant said. "The best case is I'm going to be somewhere in Cleveland soon playing, but I'll be back with you when the time is right." Contact John Benson at NDiffrence@att.net.