Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
"There are a lot of musical influences and sources that Daniel Donato has drawn on during hiscareer and that informhis latest album,Reflector(Retrace Music), hisfirst all-original album. Butwithin those, Donato has carved out a unique and individualized spot for himself, one that speaksto the deep American music heritage that inspires him--and that he's pushing towards the futurewith inspired, intentional vigor.
He calls it Cosmic Country, a moniker that's both self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. It'san organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang; a showcase for Donato'sinstrumental virtuosity and facility for melodically infectioussongcraft. Bridging Nashville and theGreat 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 at that.
While growing up in Nashvillehishis father, who turned his young sonon to music of all genres,suggested the fledgling and industriously minded (even at just 14) artist start busking inNashville's lower Broadway area and outside concerts, for eight hours at a time on the weekends.One night, thetwo happened by Robert’s Western Worldwherelegendary honky-tonklocalmainstay the Don Kelly Bandwere performing.""Their songbook was that of my main influencesstill to this day--Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, Marty Robbins, BillMonroe, traditional bluegrass music, Hank Williams Sr.--old-timey music with real stories andemotions thateverybody has. It just hooked me right away.""Donato eventually became a memberof the band, playing four hours a night at Robert's (464 shows in total).
Another piece of the puzzle came through later in Donato’s teenage years--the Grateful Dead,thanksto a high school American History teacher who gave him a pile of bootleg recordings whenhe was 18. ""When I discovered Jerry Garcia, there's really never been anyone who writes likethat,"" says Donato. ""From there I went on to discover Bob Dylan and all the great writers andmade me want to makethatpart of what I did as well.""
The whole package of player, singer, writer and band leader was in place. Two albums in, DanielDonato and Cosmic Country, featuring Nathan Aronowitz (keyboards/guitars/vocals), Will McGee(bass/vocals) andWill Clark(drums,percussion/vocals)are selling out venues throughout thecountry and bringing their brand of Cosmic Country to an ever growing, passionate fanbase."
