Capitalizing on his fame

For some singers, the “Capitol Fourth” experience can be imposing.

Behind them on the Capitol Lawn is the massive National Symphony.

In front of them are 300,000 people, plus more watching on PBS.

Then again, some people are used to such commotions.

Just ask Taylor Hicks. Even before his “American Idol” fame, he sang at the Talladega Superspeedway.

“It’s like Mardi Gras times 10,” he says.

And, he adds: “Every Fourth of July, I’ve probably been performing.”

Hicks appears in tonight’s concert (8 p.m., KSPS-7 in Spokane) along with the likes of Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Huey Lewis and Hayley Westenra.

To do so, he took time off from singing the Teen Angel role in Broadway’s “Grease” – something that a dentist’s son from Alabama wouldn’t have predicted.

Previously, “Rent” was the only show Hicks had seen on Broadway.

“Luckily, the second show I’ve seen is one I’m in,” he says.

Forcing Lohan’s hand

The father of a 13-year-old girl who may be Lindsay Lohan‘s half-sister says his family went public with the story after Lohan’s father, Michael, repeatedly refused to provide support.

The elder Lohan acknowledges having an affair with Kristi Kaufmann 13 years ago while separated from his now ex-wife, Dina.

“She had enough,” Daryl Kaufmann said of his wife when reached at their home in Florence, Mont. “She just wanted it exposed, so he’s going to end up having to do something.”

Michael Lohan says he has taken a paternity test and will take responsibility for the child if he is proved to be her father.

Uptown, low-down

Christie Brinkley‘s divorce trial is only a few days old and the tawdry testimony already has included:

•Estranged husband Peter Cook spent about $3,000 a month on pornographic Web sites.

•He had sex with his teenage lover in his office, then paid her $300,000, hoping to keep their affair quiet.

•He also showered her with spending money, including $500 hidden under a rock.

Papering it over

Tatum O’Neal pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with her June cocaine possession arrest in lower Manhattan and was ordered to spend two half-day sessions in a drug treatment program.

O’Neal, 44, was the youngest Oscar winner ever, receiving a best supporting actress trophy at age 10 for 1973’s “Paper Moon.”

Quoteworthy

Jada Pinkett Smith, on husband and “Hancock” star Will Smith‘s superhero role in real life: “He’s Captain Correction, because he thinks he knows everything.”

The birthday bunch

Actress Gloria Stuart is 98. Conductor Mitch Miller is 97. Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 90. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 84. Actress Gina Lollobrigida is 81. Playwright Neil Simon is 81. Singer Bill Withers is 70. Actress Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in “It’s A Wonderful Life”) is 68. Talk host Geraldo Rivera is 65.