From Parking Lot To Center Stage: Daniel Donato Shares "Weathervane" From Widespread Panic Opener [Watch]

Daniel Donato has shared a video from his and Cosmic Country‘s biggest show to date opening for Widespread Panic at Charleston, SC’s Credit One Stadium.

Filmed on May 6th, 2023, the video features a yet-unreleased song, “Weathervane”, that will appear on “a new record set for release this fall,” according to the video description. The show was the second in a two-night run at the Charleston venue, following a night one that featured an opening set from Doom Flamingo and a special guest appearance by Kanika Moore during the encore. Donato and Cosmic Country opened the show on night two, with Donato returning to join WSP for a two-song encore comprised of “Surprise Valley” and “Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads.

“This night lives on forever with steadfast light and eternal gratitude in my mind, heart, and soul,” Donato said of the evening.

Playing their biggest venue and crowd to date opening for one of their favorite bands is quite an achievement in itself for Donato and his band, but it is all the more impressive considering it was just two years ago that they played a set in the parking lot before a WSP show in Milwaukee on the day officially declared “Widespread Panic Day” by the city’s mayor, Tom Barrett. As Donato explained in an interview with Live For Live Music, “[my manager] was like, ‘Can Cosmic Country open up the show?’ And they were like, ‘Well, no, nobody opens up the show.’ So he goes, ‘Well, how bout outside? The boys will play the f— outside, they don’t care.’ And they’re like, ‘Sure!’”

Danny and the band have come a long way since then—from the lot to the stage—and they are on course to continue that trajectory. Donato said as much when discussing a humbling moment at the Milwaukee show when the city’s mayor stopped by to officially recognize Widespread Panic Day:

“After we finished the third song, the Widespread Panic team and the mayor of Milwaukee come walking out under the tent where we’re playing and had this whole ordeal that was unbeknownst to us. And to me, that was such a beautiful time to appreciate all the work that band has put in after all this time and being persistent in their vision. To be there to witness that feet away from me, it was such a green light. I was reminded how young and how new I am to this. It was a reminder like, ‘Hey, your journey is just getting started, kid. Take it easy.’ This is potentially what lies ahead for you down this road of unlimited devotion.”

Watch Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country perform “Weathervane” at Charleston’s Credit One Stadium below, and visit Donato’s website for a list of upcoming shows and tickets.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – “Weathervane” – 5/6/23