If you ever find yourself cruising around Los Angeles, you might see Erika Nuri Taylor's signs announcing a house for sale in Simi Valley or a condo listing in Van Nuys. What you might not know is that the Realtor is also a Grammy-nominated songwriter with a long and storied career working with the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Janelle Monáe and Fantasia. Or that she co-wrote the Meghan Trainor song "Woman Up" playing in that "80 for Brady" movie trailer that's sure to dominate our televisions during the Super Bowl. So, you might wonder, why on earth is she selling houses? The 65th Grammy Awards ceremony, that annual celebration of (mostly mainstream, American, Top 40) radio, arrives once again on Sunday, with performances from the industry's top earners, including Lizzo, Harry Styles and Luke Combs. The glitzy gathering can obscure the fact that making a living in the industry is increasingly hard for most songwriters and musicians in the streaming era. Royalties tend to be … [Read more...] about In the Spotify era, many musicians struggle to make a living
European travel tours for singles
How will EU ban and West’s price cap on Russian diesel work?
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 11 FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union is taking another big step toward cutting its energy ties with Russia. The 27-nation bloc is banning Russian refined oil products like diesel fuel and joining the U.S. and other allies in imposing a price cap on sales to non-Western countries. Europe's ban takes effect Sunday following its embargo on coal and most oil from Russia. The move is meant to further slash reliance on Russian energy and payments into the Kremlin's war chest as the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine nears. The newest energy sanctions have risks: Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and there's uncertainty about how the EU embargo and price cap by the Group of Seven major democracies will affect the market for a fuel crucial to the global economy. Most things people buy or eat … [Read more...] about How will EU ban and West’s price cap on Russian diesel work?
Lyle Lovett found peace on the seat of a Harley
WHEN Lyle Lovett went to Trinity Lutheran Church in Klein last Sunday -- it's the church his family has attended forever -- several members congratulated him on headlining the upcoming RodeoHouston. "I could tell from the greetings that, finally, because I'm playing the rodeo, I'm doing OK. This (music career) might work out," he says with a grin. The 43-year-old singer-songwriter, who has won several Grammy Awards and acted in movies (he's a favorite of director Robert Altman 's), is thrilled about performing at the rodeo for the first time, on Feb. 19. But if music is Lovett's passion, motorcycles rank a close second. When Lovett was 7, his family vacationed in Galveston. His father rented a small Honda sport bike, and they took a ride on the beach. "It was exhilarating. I had never felt anything like it," he recalls. "And I felt comfortable and safe, because I had my arms around my dad." Ever since that day on the beach, Lovett has held intense feelings about … [Read more...] about Lyle Lovett found peace on the seat of a Harley
Aston Martin: ‘No war of words from our side’ over Red Bull copying allegations
Introducing a green Red Bull as it was dubbed at the Spanish Grand Prix, Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack says they “anticipated” accusations of copying – but that there was never a “war of words” with Red Bull. Aston Martin raised eyebrows at the Barcelona race when they hit the track in their upgraded AMR22, the revised car showing a resemblance to the race-winning Red Bull RB18. Team boss Christian Horner told the media it was “no coincidence” the AMR22 resembled the RB18 given Aston Martin had employed several former Red Bull personnel, including technical director Dan Fallows. He added that while “what they take in their head, that’s fair game, that’s their knowledge, what isn’t fair and what is totally unacceptable, which we wouldn’t accept, is if there has been any transfer of IP at all.” Nothing, though, came of that with chief technical officer Andy Green saying: “The FIA came in and did a thorough investigation, examined all the data leading up in the history of … [Read more...] about Aston Martin: ‘No war of words from our side’ over Red Bull copying allegations