Daniel Donato Welcomes Andy Frasco, Dogs In A Pile’s Brian Murray and More for Rolling Stones and James Taylor Debuts at Cosmic NOLA

Photo Credit: Dino Perrucci

Last night, May 1, Daniel Donato breezed into the Crescent City for his third-annual Cosmic NOLA celebration. In the ramp-up of his spring tour, the singer-songwriter, ace guitarist and Cosmic Country bandleader stormed the stage at New Orleans’ Civic Center to contribute to Jazz Fest’s electrifying citywide energy with a stacked two-set staging. In keeping with tradition, his third engagement with the NolaFunk Series once again welcomed a slew of special guests.

Donato set off his return to The Big Easy with his original “Blame The Train,” then barrelled through his staples like “Cosmic Country Gardens” and “Along the Trail” before welcoming the first guest of the evening. To a roar from the crowd, Dogs In A Pile’s distinguished guitarist Brian Murray sauntered out to bolster a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Honky Tonk Night Time Man,” duelling axes with Donato at center stage in an explosive jam section. Murray took on lead vocals for the ensuing treatment of Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down,” then led a deft segue into J.J. Cale’s “Ride Me High” before bidding the crowd farewell.

As Murray stepped away, special guest saxophonist Sean McLean of World’s Finest stepped up to support Donato and Cosmic Country’s first cover of the Jerry Garcia-popularized “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”  of 2025,  led by vocals from bassist Will “Mustang” McGee. McLean then lent his talents to “Sugar Shack” before peeoling off to let the band close out set one with a sprint through “Gotta Get Southbound.”

When the band returned to the stage, they were joined by McLean and none other than jam scene impresario and powerhouse vocalist Andy Frasco, who assumed the spotlight for his recently released single “Life Is Easy,” which features guitar from Donato. After this live debut, the band loaded up another, blasting through a “C Boogie Woogie” with Frasco, McLean and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s celebrated baritone saxophonist Roger Lewis. This same ensemble veered into further FTPs with James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women,” all masterfully transitioned into a triumphant continuous jam.

With their guests departed, Donato and Company bolted through a final series of “Dance In The Desert,” “Tell Me I’m a Lover” and “See Through” before concluding the show, once again alongside McLean, with an encore of Warren Zevon’s “Nighttime In The Switching Yard.”

Daniel Donato will return to the stage tomorrow, May 3, for a set in Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Sun, Sand, and Soul concert getaway in Miramar Beach, Fla. Find tickets and more information for Donato’s full live calendar at danieldonato.com/tour.

Read on for the full setlist from Thursday night.