Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country Night 1

Daniel Donato draws on many musical influences for Horizon (Retrace Music), his second all-original album. He has carved out a distinctive place for himself within the deep American musical heritage that inspires him, while pushing it toward the future with inspired, intentional vigor.

He calls it Cosmic Country: an organic rock-band sound with plenty of roadhouse twang, showcasing Donato’s instrumental virtuosity and knack for melodically infectious songwriting. Bridging Nashville and the Great West, Kentucky and mid-’60s northern California, tie-dye and plaid, it’s a world of his own—and a wide world of musical adventure.

Growing up in Nashville, Donato was introduced to music of all genres by his father, who suggested that the industrious young musician start busking on lower Broadway and outside concerts. At 14, Donato spent as many as eight hours playing on weekends. One night, they stopped by Robert’s Western World, where local honky-tonk mainstay the Don Kelly Band was performing. Donato eventually joined the band, playing four hours a night at Robert’s for a total of 464 shows.

Horizon follows 2023’s Reflector, which received critical acclaim from outlets including No Depression, Glide Magazine, and Magnet Magazine. Donato has been featured in Rolling Stone, UPROXX, Garden & Gun, and Relix. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country made its network television debut on CBS Saturday Morning and appeared in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic online series.

Three albums in, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country features Nathan “Sugarlegg” Aronowitz (keyboards, guitars, vocals), Will “Mustang” McGee (bass, vocals), and Will “Bronco” Clark (drums, percussion, vocals). The band is selling out venues throughout the country and bringing Cosmic Country to an ever-growing, passionate fanbase.