The Secret Sisters kicked off homecoming weekend with a blast of traditional country music on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Secret Sisters headlined the annual alumni concert. The melodic duo, whose songs have charted billboards around the globe, grew up just outside Muscle Shoals. Lydia, an alumna, and Laura Rodgers have made appearances on David Letterman and Jay Leno’s Late Night show and were nominated as a New/Emerging Artist by the Americana Music Association in 2011.

Dillon Hodges, also an alumnus of UNA, opened for the sisters.

“It was the homecoming concert, and it really felt like one to me,” Hodges said. “It was great to come home both to my hometown and where I went to school.”

Hodges opened with his band firekid, which included his wife Elise Hodges. firekid debuted their new music for the audience.

“I came in a bit nervous before the show, because it was my first show performing in this format (auditorium),” Hodges said. “Honestly, it felt like the performance went off without a hitch.”

Following his first song Hodges spoke about performing at his alma mater.

“You’d like to think you’ve come so far since (elementary school),” Hodges said. “But here I am standing 100 yards from my elementary school.”

Student Kayla Slusher said she enjoyed the concert. Her only regret was that more students did not attend the concert.

“I loved the concert — it was not what I was expecting at all,” she said.

The best expectation from firekid is the unexpected, Hodges said.

“I haven’t been able to predict the last few months at all,” Hodges said. “Hopefully we’ll have some music out for people to listen to early next year.”

After a brief intermission, Kerry Gilbert, vocalist for The Kerry Gilbert Band, introduced The Secret Sisters.

“I just feel like I need to say something about how proud we are of Alabama, especially Muscle Shoals,” Laura Rodgers said after concluding their opening song.

Shoals resident Faye Torstrick said she had never heard of either of the bands that performed.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Torstrick said. “I had seen a (concert advertisement) in the paper and that’s all.”

Torstrick attended the concert believing the music would be from the 40s or 50s by the hairstyles and attire of The Secret Sisters. She said she was delighted by the concert and would absolutely go again.

“The variety was amazing,” Torstrick said. “I made notes to tell my friends.”

Proceeds from the alumni concert will fund the dining area of the new Science and Technology Building.