I’ve got to admit it. I love to snoop on famous folks whose work makes me crazy — in a good way. A very good way. Singer/songwriter Brett Dennen is at the top of that list. Why? Because he puts poetry to music. He cares about our world and the people on it and how we treat one another.

When I snooped him for the Chicago Tribune on the eve of our 2008 presidential election, Brett graciously chatted with me as he drove from California to Seattle, telling me about his E.T. doll and how exciting it would be to be playing as we elected a new president. (He was playing “World Keeps Turning” at the moment the words “Barack Obama’s Elected President” flashed across a huge TV screen.)

I nearly cried when I found out he’ll be performing at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 29 and I’ll have to miss it as I’ll be in Minnesota! If you’re not going to my cousin’s wedding, too, treat yourself to a night of Brett and his band (including one of my fave drummers, Randy Schwartz, and the dog-lovin’, keyboard-blessing Jon Solo). They’ll also be at the Rothbury Festival in Rothbury, Mi., on July 3. Check out Brett’s Web site for other shows and to hear him.

But do that in another window so you can listen as you read about the yerba mate gourds and other treasures in Brett’s Santa Monica, Calif., home in my story from the Chicago Tribune.