For the final time, the One Way Singers gathered in Salem this weekend to perform and reminisce about their involvement in a major change in Christian music that brought instruments into the church while allowing them to tour the country, Canada, and Mexico.
Doyle Combs was Music Director at the First Baptist Church and Salem Community High School Band Director when he formed the One Way Singers in 1971 from his high school music students. Combs then led the group until he left SCHS in 1980.
“They got through it after 2 days of rehearsal, after 50 years not too bad. It’s been an emotional weekend coming back realizing our lives had been so close for 10 years. We traveled together and everything so this music brought back a lot because we had played it hundreds of times across the country. The difference was we hadn’t played it in years, but it came back.”
One of those who were part of the One Way Singers in 1976 and 77 was Renee Butler Boyles who traveled from her home in Little Elm, Texas to be part of the performance.
“I got to tell ya, I’m 64 years old and doing this group is still one of the highlights of my life. Mr. Combs had such a big impact between band and one way singers on my life, when he says the next time I see you will be in heaven…we are just brothers and sisters.”
Matt Young, who has retired after a 34 year career as an English Teacher at O’Fallon High School, was part of the first group of students to make up the One Way Singers. He says the first year involved only the chorus with the orchestra added the next year.
“Sad, we have looked forward to this and now its over. Overwhelming, all sorts of mixed feelings.”
Young, who played the drums, remembered being the first to ever bring such instruments into a church.
“When we would set up they were a little skeptical, but when we started playing they were fine with us. They were enthusiastic about us.”
Combs says at 83 this will have to be the final performance, but he will be back in Salem in October where he will lead the Little Egypt Festival Parade as Grand Marshall.
Doug Cosby talks to those in attendance at First Baptist Church. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The lower level of the First Baptist Church was full for the One Way Reunion performance. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
