Latest news with #GreaterClevelandMusicCensus
Axios
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New task force looks to boost Northeast Ohio music industry
Things are looking up for local musicians and venue owners with the creation of Cuyahoga LIVE!, a task force focused on strengthening Northeast Ohio's music scene. Why it matters: The task force, led by Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, represents one of the most significant partnerships in Cleveland history between local government and the live entertainment industry. Catch up quick: Cuyahoga LIVE! comes on the heels of the 2023 Greater Cleveland Music Census, which surveyed nearly 2,800 industry professionals, venue owners and musicians. The resulting 24-page report found that Cleveland has a "relatively healthy music ecosystem," but improvements are needed. That includes better marketing and audience development, tax breaks and grants for venues, and more inclusivity. It also suggested creating a local music commission to manage initiatives. The intrigue: The first move for Cuyahoga LIVE! is to form committees to examine ways to improve audience and workforce development, culture and belonging, and artist and industry support. Cuyahoga LIVE! will serve as a precursor to a full-time local music commission in charge of implementing initiatives outlined in the census. What they're saying:"This needed to happen," Sean Watterson, co-owner of Happy Dog and co-founder of the Cleveland Independent Venue Association, tells Axios. "The goal is to identify what the priorities are for a music commission so that when we're at a stage where we get funding, we're clear on what we need to do." 💭 Troy's thought bubble: I've covered music on a local level for nearly 20 years. Anyone involved will tell you it's extremely challenging to succeed. While it was already tough before COVID, venue owners like Watterson tell me it's gotten even tougher post-pandemic — recovering from financial hardships and adjusting to new industry trends. Watterson says the difference between Cuyahoga LIVE! and other like-minded plans of the past is the involvement of a high-ranking local official like Ronayne, who listed the local music industry as a priority in his 2024 State of the County address.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuyahoga County launches Cuyahoga Live! task force to boost local music scene
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Akron's own The Black Keys has local roots that run deep. The band made its musical debut at the historic Cleveland music venue the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern in the early 2000s. 'And we helped them find a booking agent and really get a foothold in the industry,' said Cindy Barber, co-owner of the Beachland Ballroom. After widespread closures, Advance Auto Parts to open dozens of new locations Sadly, the group left Northeast Ohio for Nashville, seeking more advanced industry resources. But a major movement is now underway to keep local talent here at home. Cuyahoga County announced the launch of Cuyahoga Live! — a new live music and entertainment task force dedicated to strengthening the region's vibrant music scene. Barber is also executive director of the nonprofit Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present & Future. She is also one of the musical minds on the task force. 'We are really grateful to County Executive Chris Ronayne for taking the leadership role in this. He was talking about the need during the election. And he's really following through with a campaign promise,' Barber said. 'We've got the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, so why shouldn't we have more of an industry here?' Ronayne said Cuyahoga Live! is about recognizing that live music isn't just entertainment — it's an industry that deserves real support. More than 75% of people surveyed in the Greater Cleveland Music Census identified a need for a music commission to stimulate the economy, boost tourism and strengthen local business. Sean Watterson is also on the task force. He co-owns the music venue Happy Dog on Cleveland's near-west side and is co-founder of the Cleveland Independent Venue Association. 'We'll see more music happening. We'll see better coordination on the marketing of that. We'll have closer ties with Destination Cleveland market and the convention visitors bureau, in terms of being able to market Cleveland as a music city,' said Watterson. These Ohio Kohl's are closing this weekend Cleveland has always been known as a music town, but all agree that it's time for the county to kick it up a notch. 'Let's compare musicians to our sports teams and let's cheer them on and buy their merchandise, wear their T-shirts. I want that to be the look of Cleveland,' said Barber. Cuyahoga Live will kick things off by forming committees to explore audience and workforce development, culture, artists and industry support. Leaders said an official music commission could be up and running by next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
