Daniel Donato Joins Dogs in a Pile to Cover John Hartford, Welcomes Jennifer Hartswick During Cosmic Country Set at High Sierra
Photo: Dino Perrucci
High Sierra Music Festival played host to jam favorites during its July 3-6, 2025, gathering at the Plumas County Fairgrounds in Quincy, Calif. Following Thursday’s opening lineup of acts, Friday, July 4, brought forth collaborations, including Daniel Donato’s assistance during Dogs in a Pile’s set. Later on, Cosmic Country’s arrival on the Grandstand stage boasted the inclusion of Trey Anastasio Band’s horn section member, Jennifer Hartswick.
Friday, July 4, brought Dogs in a Pile to the Vaudeville stage, where they established the footing of their festival frame by nodding to the date with their original. The song was cut short with the band opting for “Mr. Took.” After a pause, they picked up “Ugly Song,” ultimately proceeding into “My Disguise” before tacking on the remaining “Fourth of July.” In a nonstop segue, Dogs added “Dangers of Rah Rah,” followed by a momentary rest and an ensuing “Burning Daylight.”
Next, they welcomed Donato to the stage, where they collectively produced a rendition of John Hartford’s “Joseph’s Dream,” a cut that appeared on the songwriter’s 1976 LP, Nobody Knows What You Do. The band initially debuted the cover on Oct. 29, 2024, and has only returned to it on two other occasions before Friday’s placement. The Garden State band continued their set with “Let You Go,” “Charlie,” and a “Chop Shop” finale.
During the evening, Donato and his Cosmic Country ensemble stepped out for their separately billed performance, with help on select songs from Hartwick. The trumpeter turned up to contribute on “Tell Me I’m A Lover,” before switching over to flex her vocal capacity, splitting the beloved “Angel From Montgomery” lyrics with Donato.
Scroll down to view Dogs in a Pile and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country’s setlists from July 4, 2025.
Dogs in a Pile
Plumas Country Fairgrounds – Quincy, Calif.
High Sierra Music Festival
July 4, 2025
Set: 4th of July-> Mr. Tooker, Ugly Song, My Disguise > 4th of July > Dangers of Rah Rah, Burning Daylight, Joseph’s Dream[1], Let U Go, Charlie, Chop Shop
Notes:
[1] John Hartford, with Daniel Donato
Setlist via go-set.net.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Plumas Country Fairgrounds – Quincy, Calif.
High Sierra Music Festival
July 4, 2025
Set: Good Old American Guest, Riding That Midnight Train, Half Moon Night, I Heard That Lonesome Whistle, Hi-Country, Tell Me I’m A Lover, Angel From Montgomery, Broadside Ballad, Hangman’s Reel, Lady Justice, Down Bedford, Rose In A Garden, Free Wheelin’, Forgotten Days, Luck Of The Draw, Sugar Leg Rag
Notes:
[1] Nathan Aronowitz On Lead Vocals, Guitar, And Keys (Song)
[2] Jennifer Hartswick On Trumpet (Song)
[3] Jennifer Hartswick And Daniel Split Lead Vocals (Song)
[4] Will McGee On Lead Vocals (Song)
Setlist via danielbase.com.
