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Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country Celebrates Ryman to Robert's at the Mother Church
Daniel Donato delivered Cosmic Country to the Mother Church of Country Music on August 28th and 29th, 2026. Donato calls it Cosmic Country as it's self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. His muse melds rock with roadhouse twang powered by instrumental virtuosity.
There was a cool Cosmic Country takeover of the Ryman Auditorium in late August. Daniel was raised in a musical home where he was exposed to a wide selection of genres. At age 14, he was already busking on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. Those hours of perfecting his craft on the sidewalk led to an invitation to join the Don Kelly Band. Donato would play over 400 shows with that group before venturing out on his own. "Welcome to the second year of Cosmic Country at the Ryman," Daniel said indicating that a new tradition was being birthed at the Mother Church. In someways the two shows at the Ryman were record release parties which coincided with the drop of their first live album Ryman To Robert's out August 28th via Retrace Music. The platter captures Cosmic Country's electrifying sold-out, debut headlining performance at the revered Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2025, the same day as their critically acclaimed third album Horizons hit the streets. Ryman To Robert's features the full Ryman show and selections from the band's special after show set that evening at Robert's Western World, where they presented some classic country music at the bar just across the back alley where it all began for Donato.
Donato and company impressed with their take on groovy and elaborate jam band stylings. As we walked through the doors of the Ryman on the 28th we noticed quite a few fans sporting tie-dies and when the band took the stage, they were on their feet. Many including one of the most enthusiastic dancers we have seen at a show all remained standing and moving to Cosmic Country's innovative grooves over two sets in Music City. This was our first time seeing this group that we describe as Lukas Nelson (son of Willie) meets the Grateful Dead. There were a number of times that Daniel's leads sounded like tones and note choices the late Jerry Garica would have made. Although Cosmic Country mirrors a number of musical inspirations they have their own unique sound. Their two sets were a mixed of originals and creative covers. Some of our favorite tributes of the night were "Workin' Man Blues" (Merle Haggard), "Country Boy" (Ricky Skaggs) and their encore "Jolene > Grits" honoring Dolly Parton who had died earlier in the week. Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country is Nathan "Sugarlegg" Aronowitz (keyboards/guitars/vocals), Will "Mustang" McGee (bass/vocals) and Will "Bronco" Clark (drums, percussion/vocals). This collective shined bright during their expansive jams that were enhanced by the use of lights and trippy visuals making for a complete concert experience and perhaps a future record or video. So, be on the lookout for new material and check out Cosmic Country when they come to your town as they will be on the road for most of 2026.
Ryman to Robert's begs the question - where to from here for DDCC? Related Links: For more information on DANIEL DONATO and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Daniel Donato | Ryman Auditorium
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