Since folk music often tells the tough stories of common people, a folk concert to raise money for building homes could be fitting.

Grammy award-winning Riders in the Sky are playing a benefit concert Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for Habitat for Humanity Lansing at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Tickets for the event are $25 and will help to fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity Lansing's 50th home.

The inspiration for the event came from Habitat for Humanity executive director Denise Paquette's love of folk.

"I have been listening in folk music for 25 years," Paquette said. "I wanted to bring my folk music into Habitat."

Paquette likens Riders in the Sky's music to singing cowboy greats Gene Autry and Roy Rogers from the '40s and '50s. The group performs both covers and originals.

The decision to bring in Riders in the Sky was one Paquette made based on the group's success.

"They are pretty well known," Paquette said. "They've won a couple of Grammys. I'm hoping for a great response and I'm looking for the public to support Habitat and come out to have fun."

Riders in the Sky has been making music for 25 years, has recorded more than 20 albums and has performed more than 4,500 shows. Grammys were awarded to the group for Best Musical Album for Children in 2001 and 2003.

The hard-earned messages in folk music are ones Paquette says she relates to her life through music's story-telling elements.

"A good folk song says a lot about love and death," Paquette said. "It offers you a look at our history."

Tickets are being sold at Habitat for Humanity Lansing at 1137 Haco Drive in Lansing, Elderly Instruments at 1100 N. Washington Ave. in Lansing, Double Play Sports at 3024 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, Archives Book Shop at 517 W. Grand River Ave. and Curious Book Shop at 307 E. Grand River Ave.