 "Photo: Courtesy of The Secret Stolen")
 "Photo: Courtesy of Secret Stolen")
It takes more than a $5 entry fee at packed bars and restaurants for local artists to pay their bills.
So, some of Chico's most popular musicians have to take up a day job in order to make ends meet.
Carmen Bush, a member of roots rock group Belles & Whistles, understands the pressures of juggling work and music.
Working at both the Meriam Library and a local catering company, Bush has little time to devote to her craft, she said.
"If I didn't have all this bullshit, or have to work these jobs, I'd be able to do more and get better," she said.
Local musicians perform out of passion, not monetary goals, Bush said.
"I do want to make a career out of it, but you have to pay your dues," she said. "For now, I sing in a cover band on the weekends."
Nolan Ford and his brother Cameron Ford also play in Belles & Whistles and in the more established group, The Secret Stolen.
"It's pretty much a joke to think you can make it as a rock 'n' roll band in Chico," said Nolan Ford, guitarist for local rock outfit The Secret Stolen. "You have to have another job."
The Secret Stolen have been together for almost four years, attracting many high school and college students to their shows, Cameron Ford said. Belles & Whistles are less than a year old and aren't quite as popular as The Secret Stolen, but will still sometimes bring out a good crowd.
"We've been playing a long time, to where people have seen us play before and they know what we do," he said.
However, there have been times when a venue showcasing The Secret Stolen has a poor turnout, Cameron Ford said.
Cameron Ford graduates in May with his bachelor's degree in music industry and technology. While he is a student, he also works at Collier Hardware and the University Box Office.
It may seem like a lot for one to endure, but Cameron Ford is able to keep everything in line, thanks to the daily planner he carries with him at all times, he said.
"Time management is a major factor of being in a band," he said.
It's even more important when playing shows clashes with making a living.
Nolan Ford is a part-time math teacher at Nelson Avenue Middle School in Oroville.
His busy schedule has left him with little time for touring or practicing with the bands, he said. Each member of the two bands has been swamped with his or her day jobs, making time for practice almost impossible.
If either band has a scheduled performance date, they may practice the night before, he said.
Adding to the situation is the current economy's squeeze on people's wallets.
Cameron Ford remains optimistic, however.
"No matter how bad the economy is, there is always a need for entertainment," he said.
David Wangberg can be reached at dwangberg@theorion.com
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