This first sentence of this post, as it mentions Barak Obama, has been "optimized" for your consumption, based on your politcial leanings...
LEFT-WING VERSION: Let's face it, Barack Obama is too busy fixing health care and kicking ass to make your next gig.
RIGHT-WING VERISION: Let's face it, Barack Hussein Obama is too busy taking expensive vacations and banning guns make your next gig.
Many people feel very strongly about Barack Obama and, regardless of which side of the debate you and your fans are on, for the right act, this trick will allow you to build rapport with your fans in a very big way.
STEP 1: Invite Barack Obama to your gig or other event.
Here is the address:
The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama
The White House
Greetings Office Rm. 39
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500
STEP 2: Get declined.
He's not going to make it, but you will get a letter that says something like, "Mr. Obama regrets that he is unable to make your event."
STEP 3: The fun begins...
You've now got a great opportunity to mail your fans and otherwise use the letter you got to drum up support for your gigs and albums. How you use it is up to you. Obviously, a guy like Ted Nugent would use it a lot differently than an act like U2, but both have options to do something that would speak to their respective fans.
Canadians can try something similar with this guy:
Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister
Prime Minister’s Office
Langevin Block 80 Wellington St.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0A2
Not politcial? Scared of pissing people off? Try sending an invitation to these two...
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista St
Burbank, CA 91521
This is perfect for an artist that works with kids.
And here's another polarizing person who writes back...
Pope Benedictus XVI
Prefettura della Casa Pontifica
00210 Citta del Vaticano, Italia
In England? Try this lady...
The Secretary to Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace
London, England SW1A 1AA
Note that if you're going to do this, you need to allow some time to hear back. Invitations to the White House can take up to six months to receive a response. You know, because Obama is busy taking expensive vacations and banning guns. ;)