Meet Jim Vitale | Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jim Vitale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jim, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The only risk is to risk nothing at all. Lead with what you’re animated and inspired by and you’ll see opportunities instead of so-called risks. Have a plan or vision but be able to modify all that as needed in order to improve and to move things forward. Roll your dice and move your mice!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My debut solo album, Love and Fate, was released April 12, 2024. The album has a Traveling Wilbury’s-at-Muscle Shoals vibe.
To date, four songs from the album have airplay in US, CA, UK and some EU countries and also Australia. One of those songs, “America’s Road,” was nominated as Best Song (Americana/Roots) by the 2024 Hollywood Independent Music Awards.

Prior to my album’s release I’d had other songs in shows like Replicate, which aired on Netflix, and also Discovery Channel’s Sons of Guns (Season 5 Finale). I’ve worked out of Los Angeles as a session guitarist and touring sideman for quite a while. Sessions are always an adventure. One highlight for me was to play on tracks with Albert Lee on Todd Lincoln Richards’ debut album. On busses and aboard planes I did the road with Shawn Barker’s The Man in Black Show for some eight years. I’ve also done fly dates and travelled in vans and, occasionally, in cars(!) with other artists and bands in addition to countless club dates in and near Los Angeles.

While I wouldn’t characterize my path to this point as “easy,” nothing compares to it. Along the way I’ve learned how the best is always yet to come if you’re able to block out the noise of “real life” to go for it. Easier said than done, as they say!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
With an out-of-town friend in tow, straight away we’d head to Highland Park’s Home State for their Chicano Batman taco and other goodness there for a nosh while we catch up. Then we’d cruise the local shops along Figueroa, including Gimme Gimme Records. Later, we’d head to The Greek for a fabulous night of live music. That’s Day 1 and I love L.A.! Said friend’s visit would include a trip along Venice Beach. From Venice Beach we’d explore South Bay (Hermosa Pier, etc) once the sun sets. Any number of museums would be in play: The Getty, The Broad, LACMA, The Huntington, The Peterson. A trip to the Griffith Observatory is obligatory so out-of-towners can get some sense of scale for Los Angeles. More vinyl needs would be met by my man Kevin Donan at his shop As The Record Turns (just off Hollywood Blvd). Musician or not, we must go to Norm’s Rare Guitars. Hotel Cafe for more great music…I could go on!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Many have inspired and/or enabled my music jones. My sister, Anita, took me to my first concert (Rod Stewart) when I was four years old. There are countless musicians I’ve seen do their thing and who’ve shown me how there’s always(!) more inspiration and work ahead. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to work with many incredible musicians and engineers and other top industry talents, including producer/engineer Shane Soloski and my publisher George Schwindt at 26F Music Publishing. Guitarist Steve Trovato and vocal coach Marta Woodhull I count as teachers and mentors. My wife, Kim Fay, is a novelist with an unmatched work ethic which impresses and inspires me as few could. In sum, far more people for me to thank than I could hope to fit within this column.

Website: https://www.jimvitalemusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimvitalemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimvitalemusic

Image Credits
Album cover photo credit: Mario Castellanos