Mike Balma Heritage Festival Sacramento

It is unfortunate that Mr. Balma is a very inconsiderate rude person who screams and yells at festival customers just because there is a difference of opinion. More than that as the organizer of such a public event he should have the common decency to listen to and hear the concerns of his patrons thereby reaching a consenious of understanding, rather labeling them trouble makers and refusing them entry into the venue. It is very difficult to discuss a point of difference when you are being screamed at. Thank you for reading

Lou Gearing wrote:

It is unfortunate that Mr. Balma is a very inconsiderate rude person who screams and yells at festival customers just because there is a difference of opinion. More than that as the organizer of such a public event he should have the common decency to listen to and hear the concerns of his patrons thereby reaching a consenious of understanding, rather labeling them trouble makers and refusing them entry into the venue. It is very difficult to discuss a point of difference when you are being screamed at. Thank you for reading

I hear ya, I had the same exerience some years ago, after 3yrs. of volunter work with him perparing for the vestival, He too treated me horribly,yelling at me in front of other volunters, without even hearing my side of the issue.
It truly blew my mind!!! FOR HIM TO THINK he was the only person to make the festival happen, Ha Ha

Lou Gearing wrote:

It is unfortunate that Mr. Balma is a very inconsiderate rude person who screams and yells at festival customers just because there is a difference of opinion. More than that as the organizer of such a public event he should have the common decency to listen to and hear the concerns of his patrons thereby reaching a consenious of understanding, rather labeling them trouble makers and refusing them entry into the venue. It is very difficult to discuss a point of difference when you are being screamed at. Thank you for reading

Why were you refused entry? Are you the person who brought a dog to event when "No Pets Allowed" was the policy?

i worked with Mike for many years as the raffel girl. he is a great guy. but i agree with you guys he has a temper and is hard to reason with. i don't feel that i should have to explain more then that.

The concert on April 19 2009 was a real bummer the only person playing REAL BLUES was Mr. Gains and they placed him first on the line up. Second mistake was having Castro on the stage with his rocker music. Although his band was good it was Castro and his matewrial that was awful. I don't really know what Brother Burks was playing but it really wasn't any blues I ever heard. I wish the Heratage would keep the BLUES going instead that wishie washie stuff they are now calling blues.
Castro was spending part of his show trying to sell his cd's. Real blues players would love to be able to play concerts and real blues fans woul not mind paying more to hear them! ie: Taj, Keb, Buddy, even Chris Cain. Hoping Joe Louis Walker has REAL blues players playing with him on the line up. By the way Mike the Harp blowout was really GREAT! Let's not lose That Feeling!!
I'm a member of the Family Dog and we know what music was in the 60's and were still around today!
Giving feedback, and some of us are still playing music. Santana, Boz, Steve Miller, and me. Peace and Love to you all!

Mike Balma is really, really rude. Beware if you're a performer about to be dealing with him and good luck if you're a volunteer for one of his shows. The only one who is worse is Ronnie Stewart. Good lord.

Interesting that the two "rudest" people mentioned (Mike and Ronnie) are also two people who,IMO,put on the best blues shows in the area. I'm driving to Sacramento Sunday (almost a 2-hour drive each way and more if the Bay Bridge is still closed)for Big Mike's show--Hubert Sumlin, James Cotton, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Carl Weathersby--all for a mere $20. I see NOTHING to complain about in that lineup. Yes,both of those guys can be difficult,but I appreciate what they offer blues fans in this area and I think THAT outweighs the difficulties. Your mileage may vary...

Steve Michaels wrote:

Mike Balma is really, really rude. Beware if you're a performer about to be dealing with him and good luck if you're a volunteer for one of his shows. The only one who is worse is Ronnie Stewart. Good lord.

Clarify what you mean by that? What do you know about Ronnie Stewart?