First, to those who like to whine about the line up, just stop hating on Summerfest. It's awesome and Milwaukee is better because of it. There's something for everyone and it's finally here.

Here are my picks for Summerfest 2009.

June 25 -- It's opening day, people. Tradition. You gotta be here. I'm interested in hearing Matthew Sweet's new stuff, so I'll bounce between the U.S. Cellular Stage and M&I Classic Rock Stage for the 10 p.m. Loverboy show. I know, I know. Loverboy. But, you always have to be "Workin' for the Weekend." Don't forget, it's also NBA Draft Night, so if I can get out early I'll hit the "Milwaukee Bucks Experience" at 1 p.m. at the Sentry Sports Zone, too.

June 26 -- In March, with the release of his latest album, Keith Urban told NYTimes.com, "I wanted to get back to the core of my earlier music. Simple odes to love, loss, longing -- that's the stuff I naturally do, and instead of second-guessing it this time, I just went with it." Simply stated, that's the beauty of Urban's new release. It's a perfect summer listen with the season's first huge hit "Kiss a Girl." I can't wait to see him and the Counting Crows at the Marcus Amphitheater. This is a can't miss show.

June 27 -- Local music rules tonight with the Good Luck Joes opening for the BoDeans at the Roadhouse. I might try to see a few tunes from the talented and darn good-looking Sara Evans. She plays the Miller Lite Oasis at 10 p.m.

June 28 -- It's day four, already. I did Stevie Wonder last year. He was good, but not worth seeing two years in a row. John Legend, though, is worth the ticket price. Both are at the Amphitheater at 7 p.m. I love Sister Hazel, they're at Miller Lite Oasis at 7:30 p.m. The Shackletons, 4:15 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular, might be worth a listen, too.

June 29 -- Nearly everyone says that Lupe Fiasco puts on a great show. You'll want to hear him do Ryan Braun's former at-bat song, "Superstar," if nothing else, at 10 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis. But, it's gonna be tough to see his entire show since I gotta see The Gufs and Mat Kearney at 10 p.m., too. Love The Gufs' new song, "Save Me From Myself" and Kearny, while a bit too "Grey's Anatomy" for my tastes, is a solid, emotional songwriter. The Gufs are at the Cell and Kearney's at Briggs. Country veteran and legend George Strait headlines the Marcus Amphitheater tonight. I love his new single, so I'll do my best to see him too.

June 30 -- I'll be supporting KB at the Slumpbuster show at 5:30 p.m. at Briggs, then another local, Willy Porter, plays the Mid-gate stage at 9 p.m. Truth be told, I've seen Porter twice in the last 60 days but I gotta support him at the Fest. The '80s rocker in me really wants to see Billy Squier. He's "strokin' it" at 10 p.m. at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino stage.

July 1 -- Pat McGee is amazing live. See him at 4 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis. Put Jason Aldean on your list, too. He's the headline at the Oasis. Drunk singing to "She's Country" will be loud and wild. Asher Roth is the big draw tonight (10 p.m. Rock Stage), but I just don't know if I can do it. We'll see.

July 2 -- No Doubt should be seen if nothing else to see Gwen Stefani, but they are always solid and fun. I'm staying at the Amp tonight; these shows just do it for me.

July 3 -- The biggest show at Summerfest is tonight. Kenny Chesney. He's one of the biggest touring acts today and has become a modern-day Jimmy Buffet with his tunes that are rooted in tradition but amped-up with rock, fun and humor (like most country music). With 13 albums under his belt, Chesney mixes the quirky ("She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy") with the down home and real ("The Good Stuff, " "Young," "Don't Blink"). Many of the 10 p.m. shows are solid tonight: Train (Oasis), Gavin DeGraw (Harley) and The Roots (Briggs). I've seen DeGraw a few times. He puts on a high-energy show. Need an earlier show to catch? Singer / songwriter Malea McGuinness will celebrate her third appearance at Summerfest by raising funds for the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Wisconsin Humane Society. Charitable efforts to benefit both organizations take place at Malea's 4:30 p.m. performance at the Roadhouse. McGuinness will hold a raffle for a custom-made Peerless guitar to benefit MAM, and donate proceeds from T-shirts sales at her performance to the Wisconsin Human Society. Her current single is the pop tune "Sweet Light."

July 4 -- I've never been a Fourth of July Summerfest guy, but Jet is great live. See them at 10 p.m. at Briggs. And, many are telling me to catch Katzenjammer at 6 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis. They rocked Bonnaroo; in fact this all female group from Oslo was picked by David Byrne to open the afternoon he curated for Bonnaroo's That Tent. A quick YouTube search reveals that their show should be bouncy and full of fun.

July 5 -- Is it over already? I really like The Color Truth. You can check out their local pop rock at 9:30 p.m. at the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage. BB King's cousin, Willie "Duchie" Rodgers is from Milwaukee (did you know this?) and he plays with his band Black Earth Plus at 7 p.m. at Harley. That's it. See you next year.