Summerfest counsel gears up for the Big Gig

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From reviewing almost 1,000 contracts to negotiating the number of cases of whiskey a country music superstar wants, attorney Frank Nicotera has his hands full this time of year.

Nicotera, a Racine native, serves as the chief administrative officer (CAO) and general counsel for Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF), but more specifically, he handles all of the legal matters for Summerfest.

“The biggest challenge is the sheer volume of work that lands on my desk in a short period of time,” said Nicotera of his responsibilities associated with the Big Gig.

With only a few weeks until Summerfest celebrates its 41st year, Nicotera is logging long hours for the 11-day music festival.

“Once summer starts rolling in, I’m here 6 to 7 seven days a week and 12 to 14 hours a day and sometimes 18,” said Nicotera. “But, it’s not like being a first-year associate in a major law firm.”

Sweet Music

Nicotera spent three years as the chief deputy city attorney in New Orleans, but relocated shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit. His job with MWF is a blending of his two areas of expertise, the law and music.

An accomplished jazz drummer, Nicotera revels in the portion of the job that allows him to evaluate approximately 700 music contracts each year.

Unlike many of the festivals which take place on the Henry W. Maier Festival Park and have standard entertainer contracts from year to year, Summerfest negotiates contracts on an annual basis.

The range of requests from band members is often as broad as the bands themselves, said Nicotera.

“The funniest ones usually come from the more experienced performers who realize a lot of requests are ridiculous and we take them tongue and cheek,” said Nicotera. “We always appreciate the laugh, but they can be pretty raunchy too.”

Some of the more acceptable, though somewhat unusual, desires of performers in the past include specific brands of bottled water, types of wine and even instructions on how to prepare food.

“A country singer a couple years ago negotiated how many cases of Crown Royal he wanted for him and his friends,” said Nicotera. “We do our best to give them what they want at the [Marcus] Amphitheater, because even though it’s a big cost, it’s a big draw.”

Lesser known bands do not typically get the same latitude, but that does not mean some do not ask for it. Nicotera said up-and-coming bands will request top-of-the-line guitars, amplifiers and drums.

But in most cases, newer bands get what the stage has in stock.

“Vintage Fender guitars? Of course we’re not going out to get that,” said Nicotera. “We have deals with drum and cymbal companies, so unless they [bands] are coming in with their own equipment, younger bands get what we have on stage.”

Never a Dull Moment

Nicotera also keeps tabs on 45 food vendors and 100 marketplace vendors, as well as more than 1,000 part-time employees.

Problems are few and far between, but Nicotera still keeps a close eye on the grounds during the festival.

“I’ll usually get to the grounds around 9 or 10 in the morning and stay until about 2 the next morning,” said Nicotera, who is a childhood friend of Summerfest Chief Executive Officer Don Smiley.

This year, Nicotera also worked through construction contracts for the rebuilding of the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse area, which is expected to be ready for Polish Fest, June 20-22.

After Summerfest, Nicotera eases into his role as CAO for the other festivals, which generally have their own legal counsel.

“During the other ethnic festivals, we’re basically acting as the landlords,” said Nicotera.

“But that is not to say there are not things to do in the off-season.”

Nicotera said the Summerfest brand is gaining both national and international attention, which means licensing of the logo and sharing agreements are becoming more common outside of the state.

“It’s not something which is new in a business sense, and it’s nice to know people around the world have Summerfest on their radar,” said Nicotera.