Daniel Donato’s recent performance at The Hamilton Live was nothing short of a cosmic journey through the roots and outer reaches of American music. The Nashville-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, and bandleader delivered a dynamic and inspired two-set show that effortlessly blended country, rock, bluegrass, and psychedelia, all while showcasing his signature brand of “Cosmic Country.”
With his most recent album, Reflector, continuing to gain traction since its release via Retrace Music, Donato and his band have carved out a distinctive space in the modern Americana scene. Reflector is an ambitious collection of 15 all-original tracks, clocking in at over an hour of rich musical exploration. From rollicking Southern rockers like “Lose Your Mind” to the Grateful Dead-inspired sprawl of “Gotta Get Southbound,” the record highlights Donato’s versatility and depth as a songwriter and guitarist. Produced by Grammy-winner Vance Powell (noted for his work with Chris Stapleton and Jack White), the album captures the essence of Donato’s wide-ranging influences while presenting a fully realized vision of modern Cosmic Country.
Stream Reflector by Daniel Donato via Spotify here:
On March 14, Daniel and his bandmates brought his vision to life at The Hamilton Live with an energy and authenticity that only a band with hundreds of road hours behind them could summon. Backed by a tight-knit group of seasoned players — Nathan Aronowitz on keyboards and vocals, Will McGee on bass and vocals, and Noah Miller on drums and percussion — Donato led the quartet through a spirited setlist that seamlessly wove original material with classic covers.
The evening opened with Merle Haggard’s “Workin’ Man Blues,” immediately setting the tone with Donato’s fiery Telecaster licks and the band’s tight, swinging rhythm. A spirited version of the traditional bluegrass tune “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” followed, giving the audience their first taste of the band’s ability to move fluidly between genres. “Sitting on Top of the World,” a nod to the Mississippi Sheiks, kept the old-timey vibes going before the band launched into a stirring rendition of Marty Robbins’ “Big Iron.”
Originals like “Blame the Train” and “Justice,” both cuts from Reflector, stood tall among the storied covers, with Donato’s songwriting depth on full display. His expressive vocals paired with extended instrumental passages gave these songs a raw, lived-in quality that resonated with the crowd. The first set culminated in a high-energy take on The Allman Brothers Band’s “Jessica,” where Donato’s soaring guitar lines evoked the dual-guitar harmonies of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts.
The second set opened strong with Mickey Newbury’s “Why You Been Gone So Long” and an infectious take on The New Mastersounds’ “Cigar Time.” As the evening progressed, Donato sprinkled in more originals like the reflective “For a Long Time” and the groove-laden “Chore,” keeping the energy fluctuating between intimate and electric. Bob Dylan’s “Country Pie” and “I Shall Be Released” brought heartfelt moments, underscoring the songwriter influences that have shaped Donato’s artistic voice.
Throughout the night, Donato’s guitar playing remained the show’s focal point. Whether delivering clean, chicken-pickin’ country runs or venturing into exploratory, jam-band territory, his playing struck a balance between technical prowess and emotional storytelling. His connection with Aronowitz, McGee, and Miller was palpable, as the band navigated tempo shifts and improvisational detours with ease.
The crowd roared with approval when Donato closed out the second set with “Sugar Leg Rag,” a standout instrumental from Reflector that felt like a modern bluegrass standard. Returning for an encore, the band tore through Johnny Cash’s “Big River,” leaving the audience exhilarated and grateful for the cosmic ride.
Donato’s concert at The Hamilton Live was more than a showcase of a fast-rising artist and his band — it was a celebration of American musical heritage, reimagined through the lens of Cosmic Country. It’s clear that Donato, with his blend of vintage sensibility and forward-thinking ambition, is leading a new wave of roots music with one foot in tradition and the other in the stars.
Setlist:
Set 1:
Workin’ Man Blues (Merle Haggard cover)
Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms ([traditional] cover)
Sitting on Top of the World (Mississippi Sheiks cover)
Big Iron (Marty Robbins cover)
Blame the Train
Justice
Jessica (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
Sunshine in the Rain (Strange Presence)
Set 2:
Why You Been Gone So Long (Mickey Newbury cover)
Cigar Time (The New Mastersounds cover)
For a Long Time
Samson and Delilah ([traditional] cover)
Chore
Tell Me I’m a Lover
Country Pie (Bob Dylan cover)
I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan cover)
Luck of the Draw
Sugar Leg Rag
Encore:
Big River (Johnny Cash cover)
