
As the CEO of Cincinnati Music Management, I’ve had the privilege of being part of an incredible, tight-knit community. The indie music industry is a space where collaboration and mutual support are essential to success. We all work tirelessly to amplify the voices of local talent, to give them the platforms they deserve, and to bring people together through the power of music. It’s a world I’ve poured my heart and soul into because I believe in the artists and the transformative power of what they do. But lately, I’ve found myself facing something that I never anticipated: negativity and falsehoods being spread about me and my business, and the ripple effect it’s had not just on my reputation, but on the very mission I’ve dedicated my life to.
When a person of influence within our industry makes a negative remark about someone else—whether it’s a comment said in passing or a deliberate attempt to tarnish—people notice. And then those people tell others, and before long, something small can snowball into something enormous and harmful. This has happened to me. Another local industry figure—someone I once respected—chose to question my integrity, telling others things like, “I don’t trust him, and you should be careful.” Another individual, who I’ve never even met or interacted with, replied to one of our posts with two small but immensely damaging words: “Scam Alert.” These words might seem insignificant, but their weight has been devastating.
Let me say this plainly: I have never, and will never, compromise my principles or integrity. My sole goal has always been to help local artists grow and thrive. But now, instead of spending my time helping artists get booked or coordinating quality shows with venues, I find myself having to defend my name. This is not where I should be directing my energy—and it’s certainly not why I started this company. I won’t retaliate against these individuals. That’s not who I am, nor would it serve the greater good of our shared mission to lift up the indie music scene in Cincinnati.
But I would like to pose a question—not just to those who have made these comments, but to everyone reading this: Are we not all working toward the same goal? Are we not here to uplift artists, to create opportunities, to build something beautiful together? Why would anyone try to tear someone else down when we all share the same purpose? Words have power. And while I firmly believe that integrity and truth will ultimately prevail, the damage that’s done along the way is very real—not just to businesses, but to the people behind them.
I’ll admit, these experiences have been personally hurtful. To dedicate yourself to helping others only to have your character questioned is a heavy blow. It’s easy to say, “Ignore the noise,” but when that noise starts to drown out the work you’re doing, it’s impossible to pretend it’s not there. I’m proud of what Cincinnati Music Management stands for, and I know that the artists and venues I’ve worked with see the value in what we’re building. That’s what keeps me going. But I’m also asking for something from this community I care so deeply about: fairness and discernment.
To those who hear negative things about others in our industry, I ask you this: Research for yourself. Take the time to learn the facts. Don’t form an opinion about a person or a business based solely on someone else’s words. It’s easy to be swept up in gossip, but it’s much harder—and far more important—to seek the truth. The indie music community should be a place of collaboration, not division. When we undermine each other, we’re not just hurting businesses—we’re hurting artists, venues, and the fans who want to see this scene thrive.
To the individuals who’ve spoken negatively about me, I have no interest in retaliating. My focus is, and always will be, on the artists who rely on me to help them succeed. I refuse to stoop to the level of attacking someone else because I know that doing so would only reflect poorly on me. I’d rather lead with integrity, even when it’s difficult, even when it hurts.
The local music scene is something special, and it’s worth protecting. It’s worth fighting for. But that fight shouldn’t be against each other. Let’s focus on what really matters: helping artists share their voices, connecting people through music, and building a community we can all be proud of. To those who believe in this vision, I thank you. And to those who may have heard things about me that have made you doubt, I invite you to reach out, ask questions, and get to know who I truly am and what Cincinnati Music Management stands for.
In the end, our legacy isn’t built on what others say about us—it’s built on the impact we’ve made and the people we’ve helped. That’s what I’ll continue to focus on, no matter what.
-- Joe Ryan, President & CEO, Cincinnati Music Management
Comentários