This is a "rough draft" of an idea to better promote one's live shows, and possibly establish a regional fanbase? Please, discuss, dissect, etc.

Noticed that in Fresno (my region's Big City) it's very hard to cut through the noise and distraction to get people to care to attend a show, even at a high visibility/reputation venue, even on weekend nights. Sure it's this way anywhere in America. (Or is it?)

The usual is a venue at 20% capacity and just enough door money to cover gasoline. Unimpressed booking agents.

Occurred to me we have a LOT of outlying towns 10-30k people where the residents complain "there's nothing interesting to do." (Can confirm: I came from one such town. It's a common cry, and often a reality more than just mindset.)

Strategy I'm thinking is this: Book a major show at a major venue in Fresno (apply this to your local Big City) on a Friday or Saturday night. Book it 6-8 weeks in advance. Don't put much effort into promoting it through direct means.

Then, go to each outlying town within your willing driving distance. (For me I'd say 1-1.5hr drive one way no more, but whatever you're willing.) Find THE local place (usually just one) in each where the locals go for something to do with live music. Be it the bandshell in the park (contact the city govt) or the local watering hole, etc. Get a show there during a WEEKnight.

Do your thing and of course be good at it and entertain. Bring the wives/girlfriends/groupies whatever in band t-shirts. Don't bother with too much merch though. During your show stress that we have upcoming show at THAT ONE COOL VENUE IN THE BIG TOWN on SUCH DATE and we will have COOL SHIT for you to buy. Go to our fb/website/myspace/reverbnation whatever and sign up for the mailing list like right now with your iPad damnit. Actually use mailing list to push that ONE SHOW. Yous people bring your friends you hear?, etc. Leave flyers for them.

Repeat as much as you actually can, sacrifices made and all, so that you actually play each town. Be the one cool thing in their shitty work week in their boring little town that they love to hate on.

Get them to be dying inside to get to your ONE BIG SHOW for a second dose.

And at said show, of course step your game up. Dress extra well for your genre. Bring your impressive gear. (personal ex: I bring my Rhodes, rent an upright, and my Hammond A-100 instead of just the plastic keyboards/laptop that I normally lug) Whatever you have that says "I'm damned serious." Bring your a-game stage show and antics, rehearsed well. Be the best version of your performing band you can be.

Bring the merch. Not just the t-shirts and stickers but CDs, collectible coffee mugs/whisky flasks, monogramed turnip-twaddlers, whatever you have that is sooooo kewl.

Rip it up. Lather, rinse, repeat. This is your new cycle.

I -think- what will happen is the people who do come will go "Oh shit, there's people here from this town, and that one, and the other one like 3 hours from where I live (your Big City conveniently in the middle of both) these guys -must- be important." I -think- that instead of the usual 35 people in a venue that holds 250 and HAS been at capacity for major acts, thereby making you look like the usual local twits in the eyes of the audience members and staff, you look like Gods of Importance that Should Be Reckoned With. I -think- it will start a buzz because the people who did show will be thoroughly wowed by the breadth and numbers of attendance. And you'll feel better too, perhaps perform better. More peoples buy merch. You actually make "this was worth it!" money.

I -think-. Haven't done this yet, have only pitched the idea to one bandmember in one of my two gigging bands.

So….. feedback? Has someone here already done this? Let's discuss.

Firstly, I'm wondering if this works the way I think it does. Also, what are the unintended consequences? Etc.