Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Joe Vitagliano has a deep passion for people, culture, and all things music. Graduating from Belmont University in 2021 with a major in publishing and a minor in law, he’s studied everything from American roots music to ancient Roman history to ‘90s hip-hop to postmodern harmonic theory and more. First joining the American Songwriter staff as a wide-eyed intern in 2019, he’s been reading the magazine since he was a child. A songwriter himself, he sees the opportunity to share these stories as something sacred. “To quote Willie Nelson, we live ‘at a time when the world seems to be spinning out of control,’” he said. “In those times, music is paramount. It’s the ultimate source of solace and tool of expression. To now be able to share it is an honor beyond my ability to articulate.”