Going From Concert Promoter to Music Venue Owner

Hey everyone,

I posted this last night, and when I woke up, I couldn't find it. I checked my Private Messages and my e-mail, and I didn't receive anything from an Administrator or a Moderator as to why, so I am left to assume that it was an error.

I am hoping to get some advice from experienced people such as
yourselves.

In the Summer of 2007, two friends and I began a concert promotions
company.

Specifically, what we do is quite simple.

a) Reach Out or Get Contacted By a Touring Band and/or their Booking
Agent in regards to playing in our area. We reach an agreement with them
for a specific date and location.
b) Find a music venue that we are able to rent out for the evening.
c) Find/Confirm Local Acts to add to the lineup. These bands receive
the opportunity to play with a nationally known band, in return for
constant promotion and selling pre-sales.
d) The day of the show is quite simple. We just make sure things run
on schedule, the bands are happy, and the crowd is happy. These venues
we use include a sound/light guy.

After almost four years of "renting" a venue every time I have a
show, I am looking into the possibility of operating a venue.

Why?

a) We more than likely pay more than we need to in rent. Owning our
venue would decrease the venue cost for our own shows.
b) There are other promoters in the same spot we are currently in.
If there is a night where we are not having our own show, we'd have the
option to have someone pay to use our venue.
c) Venues themselves tend to get more attention from national
touring bands and their agents.
d) It's easier to gain a fanbase and a crowd following as a venue
than it is as a promoter moving from venue to venue.

My idea, I feel, is quite simple, but unreachable. Mainly due to the
extreme funding needed. Any advice you all have would be great. I am obviously looking for investors. I have the knowledge, but lack the funding.

Eric Gibbs
Affinity Entertainment
facebook.com/affinityent