As much as I wish Summerfest was my own private festival, one in which every band was picked just for me, this is the time of year when I remember that booking 700 bands into an 11-day event must be one of the hardest jobs in Milwaukee. So, as easy as it would be to declare this lineup the "worst ever," there's no doubt that the Big Gig will draw crowds just as well as ever. You won't see me at Summerfest every day this year; on the other hand, I will pick my spots for some nice targeted shows this season.

Here are my picks for Summerfest 2009.

June 25 -- I liked Matthew Sweet quite a bit in high school and college, and though I'm hardly an aficionado, I enjoyed his performance a few years ago at the Miller Oasis. This year, he plays the U.S. Cellular Stage at 10 p.m. It's always fun to show up on opening night, but I'm not sure one act is strong enough to bring me to the grounds.

June 26 -- I've always liked the Counting Crows, and they open for Keith Urban (not a chance) at the Amp at 7:30 p.m. If I had my druthers, I'd check them out and then high tail it over to the Miller Lite Oasis to see The Offspring. This poppy band isn't exactly high art, but they've made me smile plenty over the years. A raucous crowd will make this a fun show.

June 27 -- I've already promised my old friend, Bay Dariz, that I'll be there for the 3 p.m. Some Hear Explosions show at the U.S. Cellular Stage. Bay is a former Milwaukeean (GFuzz and Mercy Kiss) who moved to L.A. to live the rock and roll lifestyle. I'm happy to welcome him back.

June 28 -- I saw Stevie Wonder at Summerfest last year, and trust me, he's worth seeing. I probably don't need to go back again, but if I did, I check out Stevie, then hit Blues Traveler at 10 p.m. at the Briggs Stage. (Three days in, and Summerfest is starting to look a lot like my CD changer did my sophomore year in college.)

June 29 -- You can go one of four ways on Monday. As my co-workers suggest, you can see Lupe Fiasco (10 p.m. at Miller Lite Oasis) or Spoon at the Harley Stage at 10 p.m. Alternatively, and I'm not kidding, you could see Heart at 9 p.m. at the M&I Classic Rock Stage -- I have a soft spot for '70s classic rock. Or, you could just take a night off, like I plan to do.

June 30 -- I'm with Bobby on this one; check out The Championship at 7:30 on the Mid-Gate Stage. And before that, visit our friend, KB, at the Slumpbuster show at 5:30 p.m. at Briggs.

July 1 -- Hands down, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson show at the Amp is the big winner of the Big Gig. I've heard from enough people that a Dylan show can either be great or terrible, but it's worth the risk. And Willie ... you've gotta love Willie.

July 2 -- There are a handful of good shows that make Thursday a good night for wandering around the grounds. At the Amp, the always solid No Doubt plays at 7 p.m. I'm still not sold on Matisyahu at 10 p.m. at Briggs, but maybe this is the year I'll find out if he's the real deal. Nigerian band Femi Kuti (10 p.m. at Potowatomi) is just cool and needs to be seen (again), and Shiny Toy Guns (10 p.m. at U.S. Cellular) should be fun, too.

July 3 -- I'm sorry, I really am, but I cannot wholeheartedly recommend a single band on July 3 that you couldn't see around town for free another time.

July 4 -- OK, I realize that the following pick may invalidate all previous or subsequent picks for certain readers, but I plan on being at the Huey Lewis and the News show at 10 p.m. at the M&I Classic Rock Stage. I know, every logical adult would agree that Huey sucks, and maybe he does. But his hits take me right back to fourth and fifth grade. When "The Power of Love" comes on the radio, I crank it up and sing along. It's my guilty music pleasure, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I do, however, expect to be at this show by myself, and I understand that very few other people would blow their Fourth of July plans to see Huey on Saturday. But I will.

July 5 -- I'm reviewing the Kid Rock / Lynyrd Skynyrd show at the Amp (7 p.m.) but we all know that Elvis Costello (9 p.m. at the Classic Rock Stage, for some reason) is the highlight of the night. Truthfully, I sort of like Kid Rock, though I wouldn't call myself a big fan. He was certainly the highlight of the Harley 100th show. And Skynyrd ... well, 35 years ago, this would've been amazing. I really do like classic, Southern rock. But with most of the band now dead or retired, this act is like seeing a glorified cover band. Still, I plan on shouting "Play Freebird" until someone punches me in the face -- or until they play it, whichever comes first.