If your chops are up for a little rock 'n' roll, or maybe a touch of gospel, folk rock, country rock, Celtic, blues, jazz, and traditional music -- not to mention a whole bunch of amazingly beautiful original tunes -- pick up a ticket and plant your feet under one of the plush seats at the Sunrise Theater for Raising the Roof 7 on Saturday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and are available at the Sunrise Theater office (Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.), The Country Bookshop, the Wine Cellar, Nature's Own, and in Pinehurst at Given Memorial Library and Jewels of Pinehurst.

From its humble beginnings eight years ago, Raising the Roof, a gathering of local musicians who support the Sunrise Theater with their time and talent, was bound to be a tradition -- and a hit.

Music lovers and theater regulars have sold out the Sunrise for the benefit -- more than 1,800 folks have attended the performances -- to enjoy the amazing array of musical talent that would do any big city proud.

Craig Fuller of Pure Prairie League and Little Feat fame; Jimmy Jones, who penned and sang "Handy Man"; the Randy Hughes Band; Danny and June Infantino; Bland Simpson of the Red Clay Ramblers; Tampa Blue and friends; The Bufmeyers; Pure Prairie League (the entire band); and a slew of other talented folk have graced the Sunrise stage for Raising the Roof.

This year's show will include an amazing lineup of local talent.

"If you haven't heard the McKenzie Brothers, you're in for a sweet treat," says a spokesman. "These guys are a hoot. They've been playing the Sandhills and all points on the compass for years, so they have a large following. If you need a good laugh and you want to hear some great music, the McKenzies are your boys."

The Java Mules are a six-piece Old Time String Band with an eclectic flare and a strong Appalachian influence. Their songs range from creative renditions of 1920s fiddle tunes and traditional Old Time songs, to country blues, and even original songs with the flavor of the old mountain life. They play in a variety of venues, from churches to theaters to wine shops. The band comes with an array of instruments and three vocalists to accommodate the lively variety of tunes.

"Dancing, stompin', and hollerin' are always encouraged," says the spokesman.

Patrick Fuller is a student at The O'Neal School, and at 17 is already an accomplished musician. He's been performing with his father's band, Pure Prairie League, all over the map, and he's writing his own songs and playing lead guitar when the opportunity presents itself.

"Lord knows he has the correct genes, and he has a natural knack for kicking back on the electric and playing his heart out," says the spokesman. "Or hushing the audience with a simple ballad. And he's fearless! You'll want to catch this up-and-comer so you can say you were there way back when."

Red Radio is a great band from the High Falls area, and they've made a name for themselves playing at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, the Alltel Pavilion as a side stage show for Dave Matthews, the Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh and O'Donnell's Pub in old Southern Pines. They bill themselves as "not just a band but a show: Few bands rock harder, get funkier, or put more tears in their beers, than Red Radio."

The Joyner Marie Young Band has also been banging it out for years. In the 1970s, Danny Young and Bill Joyner hooked up in the Greenville area where they were performing as solo acts or with other bands. A few years later, they added female vocalist Marie Grimsley and, as they say, the rest is history. In one of various arrangements, the band produced a CD and one of the songs, "Live the Blues," went to No. 1 for four weeks on King Curtis' Beach Club. Later they appeared at the Cammys, the beach music Grammys. They have a new CD, "Full Circle."

Inner-Faith Chorale formed in March 1996 as a result of Roderick Brower's vision to lead a small yet versatile group to travel and spread God's message of hope and love through song. Religious foundations of IFC's membership include Methodist, Holiness and Baptist denominations. Although Inner-Faith Chorale uses the Pinehurst area as homebase, its members live in not only Moore County but also Richmond and Cumberland counties. Inner-Faith has taken its music ministry as far north as Indianapolis and as far south as Georgia, and they've recently completed their first CD recording.

Baxter Clement is a local boy who's been hanging round the music all his life. He studied guitar with Danny Infantino, picked up a music degree at Vanderbilt and formed a rock band in New York. Clement is back home now, playing in the area, teaching guitar in his new studio on Broad Street, and recently starred in the Buddy Holly musical at the Sunrise.

"If you liked him there, you'll love him in RTR," says the spokesman.

Golf Capital Chorus formed in 1980, when five men who had previous barbershop experience gathered at the Pine Crest Inn's piano bar and agreed to organize a local barbershop chapter. Their initial rehearsal began with 37 potential members. As the Chorus has grown, it has become more widely recognized. They've performed at the Civic Center in Raleigh, in Fayetteville, and at many other locations in central North Carolina. During the recent expansion of the Sandhills Children's Center, the Chorus contributed $20,000 for one of the new rooms, and the Chorus has donated more than $210,000 to charity since its founding.

The four members of the Close Chorders quartet performed at last year's RTR. Sue Myers is tenor. Kay Stone sings lead. Sue Joseph sings baritone, and Joan Smith is bass.

"All are members of a new Sweet Adelines chapter, and you're bound to enjoy their sweet harmonies," says the spokesman.

The profits from Raising the Roof go to support the Sunrise Theater. If you'd like more information about Sunrise events, go to www.sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-3611.

Contact Stephen Smith at travisses@hotmail.com.