Billy Ray Cyrus glowers over an L.A. Times report that paparazzi are gunning for a first shot of 15-year-old daughter Miley Cyrus getting kissed – for an expected payday between $30,000 and $150,000. “They’re a little late on that,” he says.

Billy Ray and Miley and the rest of the “Hannah Montana” team have about a month left of shooting on the big-screen version of the Disney Channel hit in Nashville. Tabloid photogs have been on the scene in Tennessee as they have in Los Angeles.  “Me and my little girl Noah, who’s eight years old, were out catching crawdads in the creek this past weekend, something we’ve done all our lives.

There I am in my Hawaiian swimming trunks holding a crawdad, and lo and behold, some woman jumps out from behind a tree and takes a picture,” reports Billy Ray.  “What a freak show.”

Hounding aside, things are great, says Billy Ray.  “The movie has all the things the kids love about the series, but the drama for a full-blown theatrical feature is there. Everything is bigger.  It’s bringing out the best in everybody, and Miley is going to knock people out.  She’s really putting in a heck of a performance on this movie.”

Billy Ray is doing his “Hannah” shooting while juggling work on his next album, concert tour dates – and his new role as host of NBC’s “Nashville Star,” which gets its seasonal premiere Monday (6/9).  At the same time, his new single and video of Sheryl Crow’s “Real Gone” are getting heavy airplay.

“It’s a pretty crazy time.  I don’t think we could have planned it this way.  I love doing the show.  I think any of the 12 finalists could make it,” he tells us.

He and Miley seem to have pretty much ridden out the Vanity Fair photo scandal.  “No matter what field you’re in, you’re going to get knocked down,” he comments.  “The question of character comes into play about will you get back up…”

Any regrets?  “Oh, man.  No, I don’t have any regrets,” he says.  “I’m living life with the hammer down and thanking God for my blessings.”

SOME KIND OF MAGIC: Idina Menzel laughs when asked about prospects to bring “Wicked” – the much-adored musical that won her 2004 Tony honors for playing the witch Elphaba — to film.  “They know that I would love to do it.  They probably will do it, but it’s still being performed all over the world.  By the time they do the film, I’ll get to be the grandmother.  Or I’ll get plastic surgery to look younger and with the green makeup it’ll work.”

Much closer on the horizon, film-wise:  “’Enchanted’ did really well and there’s supposed to be a sequel,” says Menzel, who costarred in last year’s fun Disney hit with Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams.  “It would be cool to be a part of that.”

For the next few months, however, music is her top priority – as in the concert trek the gloriously gifted songstress is currently conducting in support of her “I Stand” album.

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: “The Bill Engvall Show” regular Nancy Travis says she’ll be getting a little away from just being a Mom and wife when the TBS sitcom returns June 12. “We brought (“Lost” actress) Cynthia Watros on and we play friends who grew up together,” says Travis. “At least I’ll have a sounding board.” Though that relationship will pose its own problems. “My daughter (played by Jennifer Lawrence) feels like she could be a friend with my best friend and I regret that I don’t have that same relationship with her.” And she adds, “There’s a conflict with Bill. He’s very threatened by my friend because she’s still unmarried and unattached. We do an episode where we have a girls’ night out and go salsa dancing, so we’ll be pushing the envelope a little bit. Cynthia is a nice foil for me.”

STAYING ON TRACK: Superhot jazz saxophonist/singer Mindi Abair says she’s intent on keeping the home fires burning while she’s out touring for her new “Stars” CD. “I got married a couple of years ago and I’m on the road so much — but you still want to be with the ones you love,” says Abair.  She notes that keeping the balance between personal and professional life for artists and performers is something “I think all of us struggle with.”  Fortunately, says Abair of husband Jason Steele, “I can put him to work. He’s a musician and composer who can fit in the band and bring the house down. He comes in and plays for a couple of songs.” She adds, “And I bring my dad out. He plays keyboard and sax, so if the show is hitting its low point you can always bring your husband or dad out. For me, it’s great. I get to have them on stage with me, so it’s really special.”

Abair says the title tune of her CD “Stars” was inspired by her desire to keep her marriage fresh. “It’s a back and forth between a couple that says ‘Hey, stay a little longer before you go, wish away the morning light because the stars are out tonight.’ It reflected the tone and optimism of the record. And I love stars, so it was the perfect album title.”