Happy Tuesday to you all!
It's a big week as the RNC kicked off in Cleveland Ohio on Monday. My home city has been host to so many things this summer! I pray for peace this week as people face the challenge of acting and responding in a peaceful and respectful manner. Won't it be wonderful if this week, we can honor one another's freedom of speech and move through all activities without one violent incident? I believe we can!
I know I've shared the free download below before but I think it's appropriate to do it again in light of things. Download and listen to "Light the Weary World" below.
Well, early June into early July was a whirlwind for me. I left Nashville in early June....
Eve at the wheel....
with the whole fam damily and hit the ground running.
It all began with the wonderful experience of performing at The Transplant Games of America in downtown Cleveland. What amazing stories I heard of personal sacrifice, bravery and downright tenacity. Recipients and donors alike had so much to share.
Here's something I heard that I want to tell you....Donor families ( families who lose a loved one but lovingly donate that person's organs to someone in need of a transplant) when meeting their loved one's heart recipient, often ask to place their head on that person's chest so that they can hear the heartbeat of their family member. That picture alone brings tears. It's an incredible thing to reach in and give the gift of life when you are in the throws of personal tragedy. I am honored to have been a part of The Transplant Games and to have met such wonderful people. Thank you.
My song "Here I Am" was the official song of the Games. You can purchase it as a download at www.annneedechant.com or you can order your copy of the song (beginning in groups of 5 CDs) at www.anneedechant.com/store Here are the lyrics to "Here I Am".....
Here I Am - Anne E. DeChant ©2016
Here I am on the edge of something beautiful
It’s a leap of faith but I am sure
I am not alone
Yes I know you’re right with me
I feel you in each breath I’m breathing
Being here is like coming home
Here I am with a second chance
Here I am joining in the dance
Here I am living life out loud
Because of to you yes I can
Thanks to your love here I am
Here I am I know you never dreamed of losing me
Even though I’m gone I hope that you can see
I am living on
Your loss was someone else’s gain
But you gave life in spite of your pain
In that darkest hour you stayed strong so
Here I am my light shining through
Here I am we’ve so much more to do
Here I am I’m gonna make you proud
Because of you yes I can
Thanks to your love here I am
Everybody stand up
Everybody hold hands
Everybody sing out
Here I am
Here I am
Here I am with a second chance
Here I am joining in the dance
Here I am living life out loud
Because of you yes I can
Thanks to your love here I am
After the Games, I returned to Kent Ohio for the first time in a long time. I played at the laid back Venice Cafe. They could not have been nicer and I have to say, the sound is just great. Then it was on to Jilly's in Akron. Love this new venue. After that I visited the Avon Lake United Church of Christ to share a song with the children during Sunday Service. I sang a song called "Everybody Counts". I miss being around children (taught at Reasons and Rhymes Early Learning Center for 13 years) so this was a great morning.
On June 24th, I opened for Melissa Etheridge at Cain Park. Class act, class act. It can sometimes not be so fun to be the opening act. You are sort of low woman on the totem pole and sometimes production companies and the main act treat you that way. Cain Park, their staff and Melissa and her support team could not have been better. I was given my own dressing room with refreshments, and privacy. I was introduced to Melissa by her road manager and she greeted me with a hug and "thank you". Of course I thanked her for the opportunity. I was invited to a meal. My gear was taken off stage for me. These are not givens in any situation. I am grateful to Cain Park and to Melissa and her crew for their professionalism and kindness. Thank you Erin Cameron! You should give lessons! Thanks to all of you who showed your support by singing along (You sounded great!!!) to "Girls and Airplanes" and thank you for your purchases!
Opening for Melissa at Cain Park (the guitar in my hand is the only one that's mine!)
I was happy to return to my comfort zone at The Barking Spider the Saturday following Cain Park. It was a beautiful night. Mustard Seed followed on Sunday.
My buddy Frye Gaillard joined me at Avon Lake Library on Tuesday, June 28th, to perform "Watermelon Wine and the Poetry of Americana Music". We had a crowd of 200 out on the south lawn (sounds like we were at The White House doesn't it?). Another beautiful evening. Thanks to Avon Lake Public Library and all who attended.
In between all this was some fishing. Ahhh Walleye for dinner. Thank you dad!
View from Avon Lake Boat Club, June, 2016
On Wed., June 29th I got to be part of the awesome Walnut Wednesdays in downtown Cleveland. Have you been there? Get there! It's a lunch time event happening on Wednesdays where food trucks line the comfortable green space, Perk Plaza at E. 12th St. and Walnut and they have live music (that's me!). It was so great to see the this downtown area so vibrant. Thank you to singer/songwriter Brent Kirby for asking me to be a part and to the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
Now I'm going to blast through the rest....
Wednesday night, Merwin's Wharf
Thursday, Public Square (Cleveland)
Friday, Avon Lake Fireworks
Sat., House Concert
Sunday, Lakewood Library. So so so great to see Andrew and Samantha Bias, two of my former students and to learn that they are both artists!!!!!!
PHEW!!!!!
Then on to Canada for some R&R with my family and girlfriends out on the river, around the fire, the dining room table and out and about in Ontario! My first Canada gig too at Marwan's in Port Perry.
On the deck in Canada
I'm chillin' till Thursday when I leave for Ohio. This weekend's line up....
Friday July 22 @ 8pm - Bar 107 in Burea Ohio
Sat., July 23 @ 7pm - The Carriage House in Hebron Ohio (check www.anneedechant.com/tour for details) Opening for Travis Meadows
That's it that's all for a bit.
In the words of my friend Cheryl Zickuhr Gerbracht, a variation of Ron Burgundy's sign off line, "Stay classy Cleveland"
Anne E.