My history with Summerfest goes back to the days of porto potties, ankle deep mud and all the food on the grounds being sold by a single, uninspired vendor. The fest has its flaws, but a bad day on the lakefront now is so much better than a good day in the early '70s.

He is what I want to see this year.

June 29 -- The best day of Summerfest and I have to be in Chicago reviewing Cirque du Soleil. What a tough job I have. If I were at Summerfest, I would begin at 2 p.m with The Bel Airs at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. This Columbia, Mo. based trio has been touring its gritty, visceral brand of blues and rockabilly for 30 years, and it doesn't receive the attention it deserves. At 10 p.m. I would have to choose between Buddy Guy at the Roadhouse and a revived Meat Loaf at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard. I would probably split my time at the two stages.

June 30 -- All 73 years of Wanda Jackson will be showing up at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage and Pavilion at 10 p.m., and I won't miss this. A rockabilly pioneer, Jackson wiggled and wailed while playing her guitar in the '50s -- YouTube her -- and she is still the real deal.

July 1 -- Taj Mahal is a bright and inventive star in the galaxy of blues musicians, and I am frankly thrilled that he will be at Summerfest this year. The Potawatomi stage, 10 p.m.

July 2 -- I'm not much of a country guy, but I must grab the opportunity to see and hear a legend, so Loretta Lynn is my choice of the day. The M&I Classic Rock Stage at 10 p.m.

July 3 -- It's a magical night at Summerfest. First I'll check out David Seebach, the veteran Milwaukee illusionist who could be playing Vegas or any other world class venue but chooses to stay here. He's performing at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Northwestern Mutual Children's Theater & Playzone. Then I will stick around for the magic of the lakefront fireworks.

July 5 -- Summerfest -- and hopefully I -- catch our second wind after the July 4 day off. Milwaukee piano man Joe Hite is at JoJo's Martini Lounge at 4 p.m., and the Native American blues band Indigenous kicks off its Potawatomi stage performance at 9:30 p.m. Very different acts, and I'm glad I can catch both.

July 6 -- A busy night, starting with the Davis Family, a longtime local favorite of mine, at 5:30 p.m. at the Harley Roadhouse. In my opinion, the Family is Milwaukee's premiere R&B band. I'm not ashamed to say I am eager to catch a bit of Peter Frampton at 9 p.m. at the M&I stage. Then back to Harley to see Morris Day strut his stuff with The Time at 9:30 p.m.. Will Jerome be with him?

July 7 -- Bluegrass is not a favorite musical genre, but my pal Marissa is a huge fan of the Yonder Mountain String Band. They're a progressive bluegrass group, and I think I'll have to check 'em out at 10 p.m. at Potawatomi.

July 8 -- Any chance to see the retro soul artists Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings should not be missed. Potawatomi at 10 p.m. They're classic.

July 9 -- I'm taking the day off to gather my strength for the final night.

July 10 -- Look for me to be running back and forth between Toots and the Maytals at the M&I stage and Todd Rundgren at Potawatomi. Toots starts at 9 p.m., Todd at 9:30 p.m. Both are mini-legends.