BugDevHeli,
This sounds like the turbine blade/disk vs blisk problem, if you want to do some viability homework. The secret is to minimise the mass in the ring, so that there is enough hoop stress left over to take some blade centrifugal "pressure" distribution. Then load can be shared between hub and ring.
Don't forget that if you are eventually going for the benefits of rigid rotor, only the hub can transfer the bending moments. The stabilising force keeping the blades in plane will also not be generated by the ring.
I remember a conversation with a colleague who had spent some time at Rolls. The ring in a blisk is more for aerodynamic reasons, to stop backflow leakage, and is only really strong enough to take it's own weight.
Don't take my word for this, but at least convince yourself the concept is right. If it is then best of luck keeping the tradition of innovation alive!
Mart