The Denver group have been catching a lot of ears with that high profile commercial placement. It’s just the kind of sweet, romantic track that makes your ears perk up. All three contribute to the vocals while Wesley Schultz specializes in guitar, Jeremiah Fraites focuses on drums and Neyla Pekarek covers the cello, mandolin, and piano.

They’re a part of the folk rock movement, in the company of cool bands like Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Bon Iver and Delta Rae. Their earthy coolness, however, doesn’t mean they don’t do embarrassing, uncool stuff sometimes, like listen to Katy Perry.

Fraites admits he enjoys pop radio, saying, “There’s something about those cheesy songs.”

It’s not all love for Perry’s whipped cream spewing-bras from the guys, though. “It’s almost like a scientific observation,” Fraites continues. “How do you not even sound like a human being, yet you’re on this platform and you’re also talking about menage a trios and you’re also supposedly this idol for young girls. It’s really fascinating to me that that’s actually in existance.”

Shots fired — and don’t expect to hear the Lumineers singing about threesomes anytime soon. But where subject matter is concerned, Schultz told KROQ/Los Angeles that their songs have no common theme.

“There wasn’t a theme running through [the album], but there was a bottom line with a lot of them which was that we’ve played them in front of people and had recorded them in many different ways. By the time they ended up on the record, most of them had been something that we felt really good about.”

Schultz also addressed pushing the boundaries in an attempt to test their comfort zone when creating music. You’re running blindly and trying to find out where you’re going to live. You’ll hit a wall it’s not where you’re supposed to be. If you’re making an acoustic reggae song, you’re probably not supposed to be there.

“We’re willing to embarrass ourselves, well, maybe behind closed doors.”

The Lumineers’ self-titled debut album is available at Amazon.

-Jay Tilles with additional reporting by Courtney E. Smith, CBS Local

A highly lauded Chicago-based chef, Elliot currently runs three acclaimed and successful metro-area restaurants, including his namesake spot, Graham Elliot. He is also one of the judges standing alongside Gordon Ramsay on the Fox TV competition show MasterChef. As Lollapalooza’s Culinary Director—a position he helped to create three years ago—Elliot serves as an ambassador for some of the city’s finest and most eclectic gastronomic offerings. He and his team handpick the more than two-dozen Chicago-area restaurants and chefs that occupy the booths in Chow Town, the festival’s name for its expansive food court.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase the amazing cooking that’s going on in this city, and also put a really cool spin on festival food,” Elliot says.

Indeed, Chow Town’s selections are hardly standard festival fare: Among this year’s lineup is the Australian Truffle booth, where chef Frank Brunacci, formerly of the restaurant Sixteen in the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, will serve such staple foods as macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob and grilled cheese sandwiches, all spiked with the aromatic and highly-prized fungi. Other vendor offerings will include everything from gourmet pizzas, burgers and hot dogs to more exotic cuisine like sushi, tapas and Creole dishes. There will be premium-roasted coffee concoctions and a number of craft beers. A separate farmer’s market will feature artisanal cheeses and organic vegetables, as well as savory desserts from a local food purveyor with very rock-and-roll-sounding name: Puffs of Doom.

At Elliot’s own booth, a team from his sandwich shop, Grahamwich, will serve up creations like his famous lobster corn dog, an item that comes complete with its own lore: At last year’s festival, Eminem was so taken with the crustacean on a stick that he was moved to rave about it in a text message to another performer, the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.

Elliot, who has a background as a guitarist and performing musician, also does some of his cooking from behind the stage. In past years he has crafted sit-down meals for many of the festival’s headlining acts, including Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden and Kings of Leon. Among the headliners he plans to cook for this year are the Black Keys and Sunday night’s closing performer, Jack White.

For more information on Graham Elliot and Chow Town, as well as a complete list of Lollapalooza’s musical acts, visit the festival’s official website. 

- Richard Bienstock, CBS Local

the olympics is the best ever. but i went through a whole pack of tissues last night. watching hard working athletes achieve their dreams

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) July 31, 2012

Those girls are tearing the floor up for the USA! #Olympics

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 1, 2012

Woohoo! Gold for the ladies! just want to squeeze them! So much talent and beauty. Did u seem all holding hands? There’s no “I” in team.

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 1, 2012

Gymnast McKayla Maroney responded to Lady Gaga, asking her about her gymnast past. Then Gaga’s fan freakout began.

Thanks for watching @ladygaga!! <3 This team loves you & your music!! I also heard you were a gymnast??

— McKayla Maroney (@McKaylaMaroney) August 1, 2012

@mckaylamaroney tweeted at me! Why didnt anybody tell me!!! DEAD. You were brilliant give all the girls a kiss for me!

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 1, 2012

@mckaylamaroney and no I did gymnastics for like a weeks and then dropped out for ballet!

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 1, 2012

Turns out the Biebz was also rooting for the U.S. gymnastics team.

CONGRATS to @mckaylamaroney @jordynmarie2013 @kyla_ross96 @aly_raisman @gabrielledoug on your GOLD MEDAL. #BeliebersWinGOLD #Proud …

— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 1, 2012

But, he showed some support for his native land.

now time for Canada to win some. #TeamCanada #Olympics

— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 1, 2012

Rapper Lil Wayne even got into the Olympics spirit.

High praises to my good friend Michael Phelps for becoming the greatest Olympian of all time.USA!!

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) August 1, 2012

Much luv to Ryan Lochte and the USA swim team!!!!

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) August 2, 2012

As if winning a medal isn’t enough, sometimes a Tweet from your favorite singer manages to put the icing on the cake. Country sweetheart Taylor Swift made another one of Aly Raisman’s dreams come true.

CONGRATS @aly_raisman and all of the fab five on your incredible win!!!

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 1, 2012

@taylorswift13 thank you so much Taylor! You just made my night! You are my favorite singer!!!!

— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) August 1, 2012

Pink also shared her excitement for the winning gymnastics team.

Congrats to the USA women’s gymnastics team on their win. You competed hard!!!!!! Well done

— P!nk (@Pink) August 1, 2012

-Annie Reuter, CBS Local

The band is looking for fan photographs and videos to use in their one of a kind music video. Through their website, devoted Dave Matthews Band fans can upload one or more images and videos for the chance to be a part of the action.

Dave is looking for a wide variety of submissions, from photos of your smiling face to videos of fans singing along to the band. The guys have even suggested different categories to make things a little easier such as “body parts,” where they look for fully clothed pictures of your waist, feet, chest and head, and “show some love,” which asks for photos or illustrations that help display the power of a hug. Sound a little complicated? Don’t worry the band’s website gives you step by step directions on what they’re looking for, so it’s really a piece of cake.

But it’s not just a spot in a music video that’ s up for grabs. The guys will choose one lucky fan to fly out to the final show of their tour in Mountainview, CA on September 9th.

Pre-order Dave Matthews Band’s newest album, Away From The World, now or get it in stores Sept. 11.

The guys kick off their latest tour on August 31 in George, Washington. Check here to see when they guys will be in your town.

-Sarah Scroggins, Fresh 102.7

The film is based on a novel of the same title, published in 1995, and is director Lee Daniels’ follow up to the Oscar nominated Precious. It also stars Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack and Macy Gray. The film has already received mixed reviews, generating a round of boos and a standing ovation when it was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film will be in theaters October 5.

-Courtney E. Smith, CBS Local

“Now baby lets get started for life,” he raps on “Get It Started” before the video cuts to Shakira.

The lead single from his upcoming album Global Warming, Pitbull alludes to his popularity when he raps “Only ball I drop: New Years, Times Square” and then later, “Two passports, three cities/Two countries, one day/Now that’s Worldwide.”

As the music picks up Shakira is spotted in a gorgeous gold gown before her familiar vocals enter.

“Every time I look into your eyes/I feel like I can stare in them for a lifetime.”

While the storyline involves Pitbull acting as a paparazzi to his love interest only for it all to end in a high speed car chase, it is Shakira that steals the show. Singing high above the city her feature is most memorable.

The video ends with a fireworks display at a concert performance by Pitbull, but Shakira is nowhere to be found. The electrifying track makes us wonder just how the two would interact onstage together.

-Annie Reuter, CBS Local

Since Mariah Carey signed a $18 million dollar deal with the show, it’s been rumored that producers are looking for a fella to sit beside the pop star. Charlie Sheen has already thrown himself in the running, saying he’d be helpful. “Give them some guidance without leading them to a suicide,” he explained.  So has Adam Lambert, who apparently has been in talks to come back to the show since J.Lo and Steven Tyler called it quits.

It’s also been reported by Taste of Country that the producers of AI are looking for a country singer to come onboard. Sources have even confirmed that Brad Paisley is heading out to L.A. to chat about the possibility of him joining the show.

To help bring in a younger audience, 19-year-old Nick Jonas is rumored to be debating a slot on the show, according to Us Weekly.  They also report Pharrell Williams from N.E.R.D. might be on the list too, which could be more of a pairing for producer Randy Jackson. Plus he worked with Mariah on her song “Say Something,” off of her 2005 album, The Emancipation of Mimi. Williams has also produced albums for Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and fellow judge hopeful, Lambert, along with composing the soundtrack for Despicable Me.

With all these choices, who would you like to see fill the final slot?

Choose the guy below, or tell us who you think would make a good judge. May the best man win.

-Shannon Carlin, CBS Local

Mix 104.1 in Boston Listen Live!
If you loved Play music, you’ll be a big fan of Mix 104.1 in Beantown!  Sure they’re Red Sox fans, but you’ll hear a fun morning show with Karson & Kennedy and the same great music mix you enjoyed on Play 98.7!

Now 100.5 in Sacramento Listen Live!
Does the slogan “The Hits Without The Rap” sound familiar?  Play fans will love Now 100.5 in Northern California! Baltazar & Nina in the morning are a riot!

96.5 TIC in Hartford, CT Listen Live!
Just outside New York City is a fun radio station called WTIC.  Great music variety and Gina J’s gossip reports make this station a must listen!

Thank you for listening to Play 98.7!

Dressed in a plaid blue shirt and red cowboy boots, Carrie Underwood’s new video for “Blown Away” pays homage to The Wizard of Oz.

The song, which Carrie says is a bit darker than fans might be used to, is about a good daughter who is trying to get away from her abusive father. The video shows off the Idol’s acting chops as she gets caught up in some destructive weather.

Carrie said that when it comes to tornados, you can’t help but think about the classic 1939 film. In her video, the singer added subtle details like filming it in black and white, the yellow path that leads her to something better and her very own Toto, played by her new pup, Penny, a rescued dachshund mix, all as a nod to the movie.

But fans might also see some similarities between her new video and the cover of her latest album, Blown Away. The “Good Girl” singer said this song was the catalyst that started the record and hopes when people see it, they’ll take a closer look at the meaning behind the cover art.

Do you see the similarities?

Watch the video for Carrie’s latest below.

-Shannon Carlin, CBS Local

New York band fun. seems to have accomplished it — their website is the first thing returned when you Google the word fun, with their Wikipedia and MySpace pages close behind. But when the guys talked to CBS Local, they told the story of another hurdle to overcome: another band already named Fun.

When we asked how they came to add the period to the end of fun., a tale of threats and disagreement unfurled.

“It came because after we’d decided on the name we were approached by what at the time we were calling a Swedish death metal band,” said singer Nate Ruess. “They emailed us and asked us, told us that that was their name, and asked us to change it up subtly. And then a few weeks ago we were actually in Finland and someone brought it up and said that it was the Finnish noise rock band Fun that had asked us to do that. They’re not happy with us and they want to start a band fight the next time we’re in Finland.”

That sounds frightening, because a noise rock band is likely made up of intimidating figures. But when we asked fun. if they’d Googled the other Fun to see what they look like, they admitted they had dropped the ball.

“We really should have done that,” Reuss laughed.

“It’s hard to find them now because when you Google ‘fun’ we come up instead,” said guitarist Jack Antonoff.

“Now you’re just trying to antagonize them,” replied multi-instrumentalist Andrew Doost.

As far as antagonism goes, it seems turn about is fair play for fun. One of their worries when choosing fun. as a name were the puns it would inevitably lead to. It turns out they were much worse than the guys anticipated.

“Yes, oh yes. Oh they’re the worst,” Reuss immediately agreed.

“Are we having fu…,” Antonoff tailed off, not saying the rest of a headline used about the band: Are We Having fun. Yet?

“I don’t know…I was worried, when we first decided that this was going to be the band name, about all the negative puns that would happen like, ‘This is no fun. at all,’” Ruess said.

“It’s really people coming up to us and saying, because, we don’t own the word. Contrary to popular belief we don’t own the word fun,” Ruess continued. “So people will be like, ‘That was really fun. Whoops, I did it! hehehehehe.’”

“It’s annoying when people catch themselves,” Antonoff said, outing a band pet peeve. “That’s what’s annoying because you’re going to say it.”

“You have to breeze past it,” advised Doost.

“If you say it and you acknowledge that you said it, don’t bring it up to us. That’s actually, that’s for future reference for everybody.”

Consider yourselves on notice: that joke isn’t fun.ny anymore.

-Courtney E. Smith, CBS Local