Smits, Hicks go 'Fourth' on Independence

"The same producing organization handles this and the National Memorial Day Concert, and I've been a presenter on both,” Smits says. "It's always very moving, and in a wonderful way, it fortifies your feelings about what's going on. The Fourth of July concert is invigorating in so many ways, in terms of what it feels like to be an American.”

Originating as usual from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, executive producer Jerry Colbert's program will celebrate Independence Day largely in song. On the guest roster this time: the 2006 winner of "American Idol,” Taylor Hicks; Huey Lewis and the News; and rock icon Jerry Lee Lewis.

Also, opera star Harolyn Blackwell, Broadway talent Brian Stokes Mitchell and classical vocalist Hayley Westenra. Erich Kunzel returns to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra, ending the 90-minute show in the long-established way with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture..”

Another star of this year's "A Capitol Fourth” is broadening his image: Taylor Hicks is making his Broadway debut, playing Teen Angel (and crooning "Beauty School Dropout”) in a revival of "Grease” through early September. "We‘re having a ball with it,” Hicks says. "It's a great part.”

In getting July 4 off for his commitment in the nation's capital, Hicks knows he'll be shifting into a different mode.

"It's probably the most patriotic thing I'll ever do in my whole life,” he says. "I haven't decided which tunes I'll do yet, probably a standard and then a couple of other things.”

Hicks also realizes he'll be in impressive musical company. "Jerry Lee Lewis is definitely one of those rock 'n' roll mentors you try to see. You always hear about them, but that's going to be pretty special. You want to take a piece of them everywhere you go; that's the key to becoming a great performer, taking a little bit of something and making it your own.”

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