Country Goes East

Country music is one of the few American pop forms that has yet to make a major impact in Asia.

However, two weeks ago Carrie Underwood traveled to Singapore for a lengthy publicity junket to support her new album, Play On.

While in the Southeast Asian capital, she performed at the grand opening of the ION Orchard shopping mall, a sheltered, open-air venue.

Meanwhile, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood plan to join former U.S. President Jimmy Carter when he embarks on a six-day tour of Asia to promote his own concern, Habitat for Humanity.

Carter and wife Rosalynn will work with 3,000 volunteers in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos where they will build or repair about 160 homes.

Though Brooks and Yearwood are slated to join the president, it hasn’t been announced if their duties will entail anything in the form of entertainment.

The Habitat for Humanity visit will take place Nov. 15-20.