Daniel Donato

Where He’s From:
Nashville, TN

Who He Is:

The term “cosmic country” first stems from the So-Cal scene of the 60’s, which birthed Gram Parsons and The Byrds. It’s also the perfect description of Daniel Donato’s signature blend of psychedelic jams, southern rock swagger, and folk lyricism. In Donato’s own words: “It’s yin and yang in a musical form. It’s three chords and the truth, and then on the other side it’s exploration and bravery.” He says the sound is a “vehicle for my personality, and the personality is a vehicle for my soul.”

Donato grew up in Nashville, playing Guitar Hero and idolizing iconic players: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton. He began busking outside – often for eight straight hours – fine tuning his skills and gradually learning the country songbook of classic artists such as Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Sr., and Merle Haggard. Then Donato found the Grateful Dead, then Bob Dylan, and slowly but surely began to shape his intoxicating individual sound. You can hear it all on his three studio records: A Young Man’s Country, Cosmic Country & Western Songs, and Reflector.

Donato is WXPN’s Artist To Watch for May of 2024.

Years Active:
2019 – present

Essential Albums:
Cosmic Country & Western Songs (2021), Reflector (2023)