Watch Daniel Donato & Molly Tuttle Close Joint Tour With ‘U.S. Blues’ Finale In Virginia

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country ended a four-night tour together on July 4th in Union Hall, Virginia. The co-headliners nodded to Independence Day by punctuating the Saturday night show at The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake with a collaborative cover of the Grateful Dead's patriotic classic “U.S. Blues.”

Donato and Tuttle began the run on Wednesday, July 1 in collaborative fashion at Wolf Trap. The trek moved to the Philadelphia area on Thursday, July 2 for a co-bill at Ardmore Music Hall.

At Ardmore, Daniel Donato joined Tuttle and her band on a medley of “Dooley’s Farm” and CSNY’s “Ohio.” The Nashville-based guitarist also contributed to a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” Molly Tuttle returned the favor by linking up with Donato and Cosmic Country on their “East Bound & Down” closer. The song penned by Jerry Reed is best remembered for its appearance in the 1977 comedic film Smokey and The Bandit.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Molly Tuttle wrapped the brief outing with shows in Union Hall on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. Donato repeated his Ardmore sit-in sequence at both shows. Molly Tuttle was Cosmic Country’s guest for a collaborative performance of the bluegrass standard “Ridin’ That Midnight Train” on Friday and the aforementioned “U.S. Blues” on Saturday.

“U.S. Blues” was a Cosmic Country debut. The song was originally premiered live by the Grateful Dead as “Wave That Flag” in 1973. After revamping the lyrics, “U.S. Blues” was reintroduced in completed form the following February. The song remained a constant in the legendary band’s live repertoire through their penultimate show on July 8, 1995.

Watch Molly Tuttle unite with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country on “U.S. Blues” below thanks to 3i.productions:

Molly Tuttle will reunite with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country for a series of dates in September. Next, Tuttle hits the road in support of Chris Stapleton, while Donato resumes his summer tour on Thursday, July 9 in Indianapolis.

Daniel Donato Setlists, Official Audio & Photos

July 2 @ Ardmore Music Hall

July 3 @ The Coves At Smith Mountain Lake

July 4 @ The Coves At Smith Mountain Lake