(I am the same person as pphoa)
"And you have explicitly given the username access to the database?"
Well, I go to the "Manage Mysql" area on the cpanel, called "Sql Account Maintenance" once you get there. I see my database name and the user name. Hey, there's a "Add User to Db" button. Wouldn't you know, IT WORKS!
Thanks for your help! Sorry if I wasted your time if I led you to believe I was knowledgeable.