Local Band Exposure

Ok, so before Unsigned came about, I already had thoughts of how awesome it would be if there was some television show that exposes local bands. I tend to get general ideas of some really cool things and often will think it about it for a while then I get busy with my life and then eventually think about it all over again.

I think of so many different things and I don't even know if the idea has already been created or not. I'm sure some of them probably have been because it's so simple, and should they already be created, it's kind of cool that I think of them without even knowing. What it boils down to is that maybe one of these days i'll be the one to strike the idea and make it happen. You know, a while back when I was pretty mad at Aden and Buzz Oven, I had talked about all the things I would do differently. Walter suggested I try to come up with something that hasn't been done before. I so hope I can make that happen. It's going to be tough though.

Then there are also other things that are going on that I would like to take and make into my own, but with many improvements.

Ok.. so..

1. There is Buzz Oven.. Buzz Oven picks 2 headlining bands and then has a battle for the third band. They supposely make 10,000 CD's to pass out around DFW for free. They also create posters and fliers for people to give out as well. Then they play three shows within a certain amount of time usually in Dallas, Denton, and Fort Worth. They promise a ton of promotion from KDGE and a full month ad in the Dallas Observer (which they neglected during Volume 13 for sure).

Improvements: Probably add a Houston show to that and maybe even Tyler. I've contemplated Austin, but undecided. Produce at least 20,000 cd's and make sure the ad in the Dallas Observer actually happens. I would also put an ad in National Noise, The Weekend Guide, Fort Worth Weekly, etc.. I would try to get promotion not just from KDGE, but also from The Buzz in Houston and whatever other station is necessary for the area's traveled. Heck, if I could work it out, I would even try to pay for the bands traveling expense. I would keep at least three bands on the cd and possibly put a fourth. I would maybe even have one or two opening acts for the bands who make it on the compilation. Perhaps, the opening bands would change for each area traveled to. In fact, I would probably pick each of the opening bands from the area that is being played at. Hopefully that makes sense. ..lol.. When they play in Houston, the opening bands would be from Houston... Dallas, the opening bands would be from Dallas.. etc.. Hmm, wonder if a commercial could happen too..

2A. There is the whole Unsigned tv deal based out of Houston.. If I had my own form of it I would try so hard to make my show different. I don't want it to be some kind of rip off at all. From what I understand, Unsigned, picks a few different areas around Texas to have an Unsigned battle of the bands. They pick two winners from each area and they get advanced to the final round that is held in Houston. All of this get recorded and they do some interviews and then air the project. As far as I know, it has only aired in Houston and not nationally yet. Oh yeah, also, winning band will get a developmental deal.

Question is, what can I do to make mine different? I'm not sure yet, but for starters my show wouldn't be only for unsigned bands. It would be all about the local bands, signed or not. Even signed bands need exposure.

2B. Ok, either I can make the show similar to Unsigned, but with original ideas, and I can even add in documentary setting into it or I can turn that into a completely different show. I know this has been done before, but it's been done for the national bands such as Simple Plan, Blink 182..etc.. It could include pieces of a show, before and after the show, recording studio time, and just simply hanging out.. let people see what they are all about. Hmm, I think Jamie and Gypsy may have told me that about something called Bands on the Run or something.. that might actually be everything I just said. I've never seen it myself. All I know is that Flickerstick was on it.

3. Billboards.. I haven't been to many places outside of Texas, but how awesome would it be to drive down the highway and see your favorite local bands on a billboard. For me personally, I would love to see Greatness in Tragedy, The Vanished, and Rockett Queen to be a part of that. Like, either have a few different ones posted around or maybe have band of the month type of deal, but decide how often to change it.

4. Soft Drinks / Candy : I remember how there would be different contests on candy wrappers that were sport related or win a car kind of thing. On soft drinks there are contests all the time to win a free download and sport related materials.. so, how about revisiting/extending that further. On the candy wrapper/soda label...(there are a couple of ways to do this).. there could be like a small picture of a band on it and maybe some kind of contest having to do with the band on the label OR the labels could have multiple band pics (label 1 could have GiT, while label 2 has RQ, while label 3 has Glass Intrepid) and the contest could involve all the bands that have been put on it.

The Contest: The contest could be to win prize packs of a particular band or prize packs dealing with multiple bands or could be a prize pack of a band by choice out of what is listed. If we really wanted to get into it, maybe a grand prize could be to fly that person into town to see them OR flying the bands to that town to play for them... There are so many ways it could be done and so many factors to think of really. Prize packs could include shirts, stickers, cds, buttons..etc Whatever really.. Or maybe we could have multiple prize packs pre selected and the winner could choose which one they prefer. See?? Possibilities are endless.

4B. Ohhh, just thought of something. Fast food?? Ok, a kids happy meal always comes with a toy and sometimes McDonald's does the whole Monopoly game for adults/teenagers.. Well, why not extend the ideas above to fast food places. Most likely McDonalds since they do get a million customers everyday. Hmm.. maybe even Burger King or possibly Taco Bell or Pizza Hut. Really, any would work.