CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County is home to many areas where music stars come to perform, including Blossom Music Center, Jacobs Pavillion, Rocket Arena and more. It's also the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where musicians hope to one day be enshrined for eternity. 

But beyond that, the region has a thriving music scene with local entertainment, and Cuyahoga County leaders announced Tuesday it's creating a task force called Cuyahoga LIVE! to help support and strengthen it.

What You Need To Know

  • The task force includes musicians, venue owners, educators, cultural leaders and promoters

  • The goal is to amplify the music scene and strengthen its impact on the local economy

  • The public can sign up here for updates on the task force

“Our region has a legendary music history, including home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and live music continues to be a driving force in our culture and economy,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Cuyahoga LIVE! is about recognizing that live music isn’t just entertainment; it’s an industry that deserves real support. With this task force, we’re bringing together the best minds in the public and private sectors to help us create a successful and sustainable live music environment.”

Ronayne convened a group of musicians, venue owners, educators, cultural leaders and promoters to help develop strategies and goals to better support the music scene and improve its impact on the local community. 

"We're ready to help our artists and venues take center stage," Ronayne said.

Data from the Greater Cleveland Music Census that a majority of respondents said creating a music commission could help the scene in northeast Ohio, and could help stimulate regional economic development and tourism. It also shows that the Greater Cleveland music scene contributes $58 million to the local economy annually. 

At the forefront of the effort is Cindy Barber, the executive director of Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present & Future, as well as Sean Watterson, the co-founder of the Cleveland Independent Venue Association.

“The live music industry in Northeast Ohio is full of talent, but it needs more resources and coordination to reach its full potential,” said Barber. “This task force is about uniting musicians, venues, and policymakers to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the people who bring music to life in our community.”

Cuyahoga LIVE! will start its work by forming committees tasked with exploring artist and industry support, culture and belonging, and much more. 

“Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have always been a music town, but we can do more to amplify our efforts, whether it’s more funding, better policies, or simply making it easier to put on a great show. Cuyahoga LIVE! will help set the stage for the future,” said Watterson.

The public can sign up here for updates on the task force.