Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Unveil First Live Album, ‘Ryman to Robert’s,’ with “Blame the Train”
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at the Ryman Auditorium
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country released Horizons, their fourth studio album, last August, and heralded the eagerly anticipated project with an unforgettable Nashville triple-header. To inaugurate his new chapter, Donato cemented his reputation as a devotee of country’s rich history and a determined pioneer for its future with performances at Music City institutions, including the hallowed Ryman Auditorium and the storied proving ground of Robert’s Western World. Today, the trailblazer and his band have announced Ryman To Robert’s, a live album chronicling that momentous race from stage to stage.
Arriving on Aug. 28 via Retrace Music, the first live release from Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country is a testament to the quartet’s ambitious repertoire and masterful showmanship. Across 18 tracks, comprising the complete performance at Country’s Mother Church and selected highlights from their surprise aftershow at Robert’s Western World, Donato, Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz, Will “Mustang” McGee and Will “Bronco” Clark blaze through the best of their originals and a thrilling selection of covers, including songs made famous by Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and the Grateful Dead. To preview the collection, they’ve shared the Ryman show’s quick-picking rendition of “Blame The Train.”
“At the age of 14, I started busking on the street in front of the Ryman, and soon after that, I discovered Robert’s Western World,” Donato reflected in a press release. “For 464 shows, I played at Robert’s, and after most shows, I would go and gaze at the majesty of the Mother Church in the late hours of the night.”
“It is said that Nashville is a 10-year town. On the day of performing and recording this live album, it was the 10-year anniversary of my last show at Robert’s, and the first time headlining the Ryman Auditorium. To celebrate this occasion, we did what had never been done on Broadway, by playing a sold-out show at the Ryman and immediately playing a set at the honky-tonk that started it all for me, Robert’s Western World. In a 10-year town, with 10,000 hours under these strings, the cosmic circle was fulfilled, and just about every note of every minute of this day is now ready to share with the world.”
Ryman To Robert’s is available to pre-order and pre-save now. Watch the live version of “Blame the Train” below, and find information on Donato’s 2026 tour itinerary at danieldonato.com.
Ryman To Robert’s – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country:
Ryman Auditorium:
- “Workin’ Man Blues”
- “Blame The Train”
- “Fortunate Sparrow”
- “About The Angels”
- “Half Moon Night”
- “I Saw The Light”
- “Broadside Ballad”
- “Hangman’s Reel”
- “Along The Trail”
- “Better Deal Blues”
- “Sunshine In The Rain (Strange Presence)”
- “Dance In The Desert”
- “Sugar Shack”
- “Lose Your Mind”
- “Waymore’s Blues”
- “Mystery Train”
- “Free Wheelin’”
- “Chore”
- “Luck Of The Draw”
- “Sugar Leg Rag”
Robert’s Western World Classic Country After Show
- “Truck Drivin’ Man” (Terry Fell)
- “Fox on the Run” (Tony Hazzard)
- “Darlin’ Cory” (Traditional)
- “Big River” (Johnny Cash)
- “I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow” (Hank Williams & Jimmie Davis)
- “Sittin’ on Top of the World” (Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon)
- “Fourteen Carat Mind” (Dallas Frazier and Larry Lee)
- “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” (Traditional)
