McCurdy returns to Summerfest stage on June 24

Pat McCurdy is performing this year at Summerfest.

Three years ago, that news flash wouldn't have been particularly newsy. It would have been akin to saying "Summerfest to feature cold beer," or "Saz's to offer mozzarella marinara" or "Milwaukee expects cold weather this winter."

McCurdy, one of the city's better-known singer-songwriter-entertainers, was a fixture at the Big Gig from the late 1990s until two years ago, when he parted ways with the festival that had been a highlight of his summer calendar.

His absence the past two summers prompted several Summerfest patrons to don T-shirts asking "Where's Pat?"

The answer to that question this year is "The Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard," which is where McCurdy will perform a 10 p.m. set on June 24, the festival's opening night.

"It sounds a little weird to say this, but it's been too long since we've been there," McCurdy said Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to it."

When McCurdy decided to step away from Summerfest in 2008, he cited a lack of "prime-time" slots as one of the reasons.

That won't be an issue this year.

McCurdy will follow a set by Colbie Caillat, who is headlining the Briggs stage at 8 p.m. Caillat, a Grammy-winning pop singer from California, requested an earlier slot because she is currently touring with Sheryl Crow, who will play a 10 p.m. show the same evening at the Miller Lite Oasis.

McCurdy, who had been taking out-of-town gigs and playing private events during the festival's 11-day run the past two years, moved an existing date on his schedule in order to play at Briggs during the Big Gig.

"It's an excellent stage and an excellent slot," McCurdy said. "I have a feeling I might be nervous, which would be amazing because I never get nervous.

"But, I have a feeling I might be nervous that night. It will be fun."