Daniel Donato Salutes Willie Nelson with “Devil in a Sleeping Bag” in Boca Raton
Photo Credit: Jason Stoltzfus
Yesterday, April 29, Willie Nelson celebrated his 92nd birthday. In his many years on the road, the outlaw country pioneer has ascended to become the genre’s foremost icon, imparting vital influence on generations of pathbreakers who’ve followed in his footsteps. Among those proud devotees is Daniel Donato, who last night underscored his appreciation for the red-headed stranger with a well-traveled live cover.
Donato’s Cosmic Country stormed the stage in Boca Raton, Fla. for his second night at The Funky Biscuit and third show of his new spring headline series. The guitar ace set of his first set with his original “Locomotive #9,” then segud into “Sittin’ On Top of the World” to build steam through setlist staples like the traditional “Hangman’s Reel,” the Grateful Dead-popularized “Dark Hollow,” Dylan’s “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You” and a set closer of “Tell Me I’m a Lover” that traded the spotlight over to Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz, who tapped in on vocals and guitar.
Donato sparked the second set with Lee Dorsey’s “Working in a Coal Mine,” then sprinted through standouts like a medley of “Sunshine in the Rain” and “Dance in the Desert” and a blazing set closing run of “For a Long Time” into “Luck of the Draw” and finally “Sugar Leg Rag.” The band returned to the stage for an encore with Nelson’s “Devil in a Sleeping Bag,” the unforgettable cut from 1973’s Shotgun Willie. Donato and company have been working up their own treatment of the standard since November 2023; their version on the legend’s birthday ws their 14th to date and first since a Texas set in February.
Daniel Donato will return to the stage tomorrow, May 1, at New Orleans’ Civic Theater for his third-annual Cosmic Nola. Get tickets and check out his packed 2025 live itinerary at danieldonato.com.
Find the full setlist from Tuesday night at danielbase.com.
