The Secret Sisters kicked off University of North Alabama’s 2013 Homecoming weekend with a blast of traditional country music.

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

Their opening act, Dillon Hodges, was also an alumnus of UNA.

“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.”

Hodges opened with his band firekid that included his wife Elise Hodges, a UNA alumna as well. Firekid debuted their new music for the first time to an audience.

Student Kayla Slusher said, “I loved the concert, it was not what I was expecting at all.”

Slusher said her only regret was that more students did not attend the Alumni concert.

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

“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. Rodgers continued and said how proud she was to be representing Alabama.

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 40’s or 50’s by the hairstyles and attire of Secret Sisters. She was delighted by the concert and said she would absolutely go again.

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

Proceeds from the alumni concert will go to funding the dining room of the new Science and Technology Building.