I feel for you. Raelly. It is a total bummer to put work into something and not have it come off the way you had hoped. Lots of time it does come down to money. If you have the money to promote an event that you can afford a big name, then fine. If you don't, it is tough, but not impossible. It just means that your town is lacking in recognition of it's own artists. This isn't easy to overcome but can be done so with free concerts in parks which cost little to hold or promote and sometimes can be held in conjunction with other events yoyr town does promote, such as crafts fairs or plant shows, or whatever. Once you have some recognition of your artists then the whole thing becomes easier. And don't try to pull anything off with lazt, unmotivated people because for rvery one of them there are 10 folks anxious to be given a chance. Unmotivated people just bring down the motivation of others. Take the unmotivated person and tactfully tell him or her that apparently the promotion part of the event is not their cup of tea and adk them to concentrate on their muscial contribution. This will either get them off their butt... or more imporatntly... yours...