Jim Leonard, Holly Robinson- Blanton, and Valerie Blanton
Jim Leonard is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. When he began singing with 3 for 1 he was serving as a music minister near St. Mary's, Georgia and traveling all the way to North Carolina each weekend to sing with 3 for 1. Jim's personality and desire to minister was a perfect match and he was soon asked to become a permanent member of the group. Not long after accepting the position with 3 for 1, Jim decided to become a Tarheel and moved to Advance, North Carolina. Jim has a long background in gospel music as a music minister, singer and pianist. Jim has sung with several groups in Georgia and served as pianist with The Greenes for several years. Jim and his wife, Karen, have four daughters: Sonya, Valerie, Elise and Jaimie. He has three grandchildren. Jim and Karen are members of Center Grove Baptist Church in Clemmens, North Carolina. Jim has a heart to make people happy. It is his desire to see lives changed and to see Jesus living through him.
Holly Blanton lives in Gastonia, North Carolina where she is a member of Chapel Grove Baptist Church. Holly began a solo ministry at the age of nine that led her into all forty-eight of the contiguous United States and into Canada. At thirteen, Holly became the youngest artist in history to debut a song into the Top Forty of the Gospel Music national charts with her release of "Heaven Must Be Proud." The success of the song led to Holly's nomination for two Diamond Awards in the categories of Soloist-of-the-Year and Outstanding New Artist. Holly was among the top five in both categories. Her main desire in life is that she will make a positive difference in someone's life each and every day. Holly was married to Jonathan Blanton in 1999. Holly and Jonathan now have a baby girl named Rylie. Holly is a young lady focused on maintaining the integrity of 3 for 1 with the full support of her husband and family.
Valerie Blanton is the newest addition to 3 for 1. After an original group member decided to a solo ministry several different singers traveled with 3 for 1 until the position was finally offered to Valerie. Valerie is the second of Jim's four daughters and is married to Holly's husband's twin brother, Jason Blanton. So 3 for 1 is now a true family group in kind of an odd sort of way. Valerie and Jason live in Clemmons, North Carolina. They have a son, Caden, and two daughters, Chailyn & Lillian.
3 For 1 is three very talented individuals who have chosen to sing for Christ. Holly Robinson-Blanton, Valerie Blanton and Jim Leonard have dedicated their lives to singing for Christ.
As soloists they have sung all over America for the past ten or more years, but ten years ago God led them to team up their efforts in the formation of 3 For 1. In late 1996, Pastor Bill Kenny of Crater View Baptist Church in Petersburg, VA decided to have a concert at his church featuring young artists. He scheduled Holly and original group members, Brad Hudson and Trenton Wood for the event. While getting sound checks before the concert Pastor Kenny asked Holly, Brad and Trenton to sing a song together. They worked out some arrangements on three songs and performed them that evening for the first time. As a result of this performance 3 for 1 was born.
3 For 1 as individuals accomplished much in the world of Christian music and as a group their ministry is growing rapidly. God has already given them the opportunity to share the stage with Ricky Skaggs at Groves Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC at the city's 4th of July activities, to sing with Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends at The Target Center in Minneapolis, MN, to sing in Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY at the National Quartet Convention, to travel with Dr. Charles Stanley as part of his Sailabration Bible Cruise and to appear in concert with The Gaither Vocal Band, Gold City, The Hoppers, Vestal Goodman, Janet Paschal, Jessy Dixon, The Kingsmen, The Greenes, Jeff & Sherri Easter, The Crabb Family, the legendary Jake Hess and many more in venues all across America.
In early 1999, God gave 3 For 1 the great opportunity to sing at public and private schools in assemblies during the school day telling students the hazards of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and premarital sex. What a great way to share their music and ideas in a different environment. 3 For 1 has had the opportunity to share this program with over 100,000 students so far.
3 for 1 has had the opportunity to see God work through their ministry to lead many people to Christ over the past ten years. This is the main focus of their ministry, but they have also received recognition by the Christian Music Industry leaders and fans while maintaining this focus. 3 For 1 has been nominated by Christian music fans for several Singing News Fan Awards and Diamond Awards. They were also honored with a nomination from The Southern Gospel Music Guild for "Trio of the Year." in 2000.
Together as a group Holly, Jim and Valerie plan to continue striving to serve Christ and combine their efforts to help show people the way, the truth and the light.
ACHEIVEMENTS:
- Named one of Southern Gospel Musics top 5 new groups of 2000.
- Nominated for Southern Gospel Trio of the Year.
- Nominated by Southern Gospel Fans two years straight for Horizon Group
CHART SUCCESS
"1+2+3" ..42 in Singing News Magazine
"Matter Of Time" ..58 in Singing News Magazine
Rock The Boat ..1 on Sogospelnews.com
You Dont Have To Bear Your Burdens Alone - ..52 in Singing News Magazine
Endless Well ..1 on Sogospelnews.com
Ive Gotcha Covered ..39 in Singing News Magazine
- Holly Robinson-Blanton has been nominated for several Diamond Awards, Favorite Young Artist and Favorite Soloist
- Holly also is the youngest artist in Southern Gospel History to debut a song in the charts with her release of Heaven Must Be Proud at age 13.
- Jim Leonard is a former pianist for The Greenes of Boone, NC.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
"Committed to the lost. Passionate for gospel music.Hungry for holiness. That is how I would describe my friends 3 for 1. The energy they bring to any eventwhereChrist is proclaimed is incredible."
~Aric Grooms/Pastor
After working with 3 for 1, Im convinced this group is headed for the top of the Southern Gospel Music Industry!
~Danny Funderburk/Artist
Phenominal! These young people are truly amazing! Our concert crowds love them! They will be the group who brings revival to our music industry!
~Norman Bonds/Concert Promoter
Surely one of the most talented trios in Gospel Music today! We have used them on radio and in our concerts and people are truly blessed. This is one group that your church needs to hear!
~Johnny Bryant/Radio station owner
Let me tell you, its really good to know that the future of Gospel Music is in good hands with 3 For 1.
~the late Jake Hess/Legendary Artist
One of the most outstanding new groups in our industry today.
~Charles Burke/NQC Board of Directors
I had 3 for 1 for the first time at my new years eve concert with all major names performing that night. They are the only group I got calls on the next week saying, How can we get in touch with them? We want them. 3 For 1 not only has harmony, they bring a fresh, energetic enthusiasm to Southern Gospel Music.
~Ray Flynn/Concert Promoter
If you want to reach every age group at your concert, I cant think of any better group to contact than 3 for 1. They are young, committed and very anointed.
~Mike Collins/Radio Programmer
DISCOGRAPHY:
- An Audience of One - Son Sound Platinum Records 2006
- Walk Down This Mountain - Son Sound Platinum Records 2005
- By Request - Son Sound Platinum Records 2005
- Shine Where You Live - Crossroads Distribution - 2004
- Make Some Waves - Son Sound Platinum Records - 2001
- Perfect Praise - Son Sound Platinum Records - 1999
- The True Meaning: Christmas - Son Sound Platinum Records - 1998
- Against The Odds - Son Sound Platinum Records - 1998
Thank You for adding Arise Radio and have a Wonderful Week. Arise Radio is an online Christian music station and broadcasts at http://www.live365.com/stations/brucbuzz.
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I just wanted to let you know that my CD, “Have Faith,” has finally been released and is now available! If you get a chance stop by and let me know how you are doing.
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