Chinese happy listening to unknown American crooner

American singer Chris Garneau may not be widely popular or famous back home or internationally, but his presence in China is steadily growing after winning over 4,000 five-star ratings on a popular Chinese website devoted to music and the arts.

The singer, songwriter and pianist from New York will have his first mainland tour this June, which includes a stop in Shanghai. The 26-year-old has been hailed on Douban.com for his debut album even though it has yet to be released in China.

"I have never been to Asia at all, so this will be my first time," Garneau told China Daily's Shanghai Star Weekend. "To know that people so far away are listening and bringing me to their side of the world to play these songs is really an incredible feeling."