3 For 1 - making some waves
                    PRESS ARTICLE

                    Normally, when you talk about someone “making waves,” it’s not perceived as a good thing. You know, those folks who
                    rock the boat usually are trying to stir up trouble. But in the case of the talented trio, 3 For 1, they are making waves
                    that have eternal consequences. And with their ministry unfolding to include public schools, our message to this young
                    group should be, “Keep on wave-making!”

                    Holly Robinson-Blanton began this group about five years ago, with two other talented soloists, Brad Hudson and Trenton
                    Wood. Holly shares, “Brad, Trenton and I had each been invited to sing at a church in Petersburg, VA, for a youth day
                    event. We were all soloists at the time. We each performed our solo program, and the pastor, as an afterthought, asked
                    us all to come on stage and sing a couple songs together at the end of the service. We did and had a lot of fun. Shortly
                    after that, we realized God was leading us to form a group.”

                    Upon Trenton’s departure from the group about a year ago, Brad’s father-in-law, Jim Leonard, stepped in and assumed
                    the baritone position. And when Brad left to pursue other avenues of ministry, Jim and Holly discovered an incredible
                    talent in Jim's daughter Valerie. Together, these three artists are spreading the Gospel in some very unique
                    and needed places.

                    Holly has been singing publicly since the age of seven and has always known that God had a special plan for her life. Jim
                    has a strong musical background too.  He was a music minister in between churches when we found ourselves in need of a
                    vocalist. Jim also played piano for The Greenes back in the mid-1990s,  so he is not really a stranger to the Gospel Music
                    industry at all. Newcomer, Valerie Blanton has loved to sing for many years, but has just recently accepted God's call to
                    share her talent in ministy. "I really think that God planned it all this way, and we’ve never had so much fun traveling and
                    singing.”

                    Of course, 3 For 1 does the normal “group” schedule of performing at concerts and churches throughout the country.
                    Their current single, “The Next Time I Fall,” from their latest recording Walk Down This Mountain, is being well received
                    by audiences everywhere they go. Despite this group’s youthful appeal, they truly have something for everyone, and their
                    variety of styles reaches the young and the not so young alike.

                    A special part of 3 For 1’s ministry is the special way they have been able to reach and capture the attention of the
                    nation’s younger generation. Their music and message is always welcome at youth camps, at which they regularly
                    perform. But a larger, more important market has recently opened up to them - public schools. Jim explains, “It’s
                    amazing to us how God has used this ministry to get in and share our music in schools. It’s surprising that they’d even
                    let us in the door, let alone sing Gospel Music and share a positive message with these kids.”

                    “One thing we don’t do is compromise our music. We sing the same songs in school that we sing in churches, It’s been
                    such a wonderful thing for us to be in the schools, and we hope that something we sing or say will make a life-changing
                    difference to someone there.”

                    One of the best things about the group’s ministry is that it began with someone asking them to come and perform. Holly
                    recalls, “We never called or asked to sing at a school. A few people in Georgia wanted to see if we could get into a school
                    and perform. We did, and it was a huge success. We now let it be known if a school wants us, we will go. One school has
                    had us four times, and we love going back each time.”

                    The calls for school dates have come as a result of people wanting to get a positive message in schools. Holly says that
                    teachers, principals, school board members, parents, and church leaders have all played a part in getting 3 For 1’s
                    ministry into public schools. Jim is excited about this. “You know, it only took one woman to get prayer taken out of
                    school. I’m thrilled at a few people who are trying to take the message back to our youth. You never know what you may
                    be allowed to do unless you ask.”

                    There is a delicate balance of just what one can say in regards to religion in school, and this trio has accepted the
                    challenge of pushing that to the limit. “I personally have a burden for the youth of our nation and targeting them for
                    Christ and Gospel Music,” Holly shares. “Our challenge to the kids is to be a leader and not a follower. Just because
                    their friends may do drugs and alcohol or be having sex before marriage doesn’t mean that they have to do these things
                    too. We are encouraging kids to rock the boat, so to speak, to make some waves in what they do.” Valerie adds, “We’re
                    introducing a lot of kids to Gospel Music. Our visits to schools are usually coordinated with an evening concert at a
                    church, where we can really share Christ with the kids. Recently, we went to a school of about 1400 students, and a ton
                    of kids showed up for the evening concerts at the church we were at that night. I think about 15 kids got saved that night.
                    It’s great that the kids hear the school concert and go home and tell their parents and pastors about our music. God has
                    a special way of networking through our appearances at schools.”

                    While the group shares their songs and a positive message in their programs at schools, Holly says it’s the time after the
                    concert that provides 3 For 1 an extra opportunity to share the actual message of Christ. “The interaction with the kids
                    after the concert is very important,” she explains. “The time we take in signing their pictures is actually the best time
                    when we can talk to the kids one-on-one and really explain more about our ministry and music."

                    3 For 1’s ministry is a wonderful asset to Southern Gospel Music, and their reach to the youth is priceless. Jim says, ”If
                    you look at the big picture, everything the world offers, Christians can offer too, especially in terms of music. We want to
                    encourage all people, but especially kids that God loves them and joy comes from Him and not from money or things. If
                    you look past the surface of popular secular entertainers, there are always problems. We want to show people with our
                    lives that Christ is the only way to happiness.”

                    As they go about their business, singing and sharing Christ, you can be sure that 3 For 1 is reaching souls and doing
                    their best to get the Gospel message out. And on those days when they find themselves in school, be very sure that they
                    are representing Southern Gospel Music and Christ in a very real and effective way with our nation’s youth. Oh, by the
                    way, they will also be making some waves!