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Country music star Carrie Underwood is all set to perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump's inauguration next week and the 1970s hit makers Village People — the group behind “Y.M.C.A,” a staple of Donald Trump’s rallies — will perform at two inaugural events.

 

Underwood, who debuted on “American Idol", is to perform shortly before Trump takes the oath of office at the US Capitol on January 20, according to a copy of the inaugural program provided to The Associated Press on Monday.

 

“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement on Monday.

 

American disco group the Village People will also perform at one of Trump’s inaugural balls and a rally he’s holding in Washington the day before he’s sworn in.

 

“We know this won't make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” the band said in a post on its Facebook page Monday. “Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost. Therefore, we believe it's now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.” Other inauguration ceremony performers will include two of the president-elect's musical favourites, country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.

 

The pomp and spectacle that comes with the inauguration of a new president kicks off this weekend in Washington with a fireworks show at Trump's golf club in Sterling, Virginia, a campaign-style rally in DC, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and glitzy dinners before the former president takes the oath to become the next president.