Trin-i-tee Goes from Trio to Duo

By Felicia Howard, Christian Post Correspondent Friday, October 22, 2010

It's official: Trin-i-tee 5:7, a chart topping gospel trio, is downsizing to two members.

Chanelle Haynes and Angel Taylor will continue as a duo and Adrian Anderson will pursue other career opportunities, according to an announcement issued early this week.

The switch from trio to duo is not new for the group. In late 1999, they lost one of their original members, Terri Brown Britton, just before the release of their sophomore album, Spiritual Love, which was No. 1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Album chart and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B Album Sales chart. After Brown's exit from the group, Adrian Anderson stepped in. Now 10 years later, Anderson is saying her farewell to the group and fans.

"The season of transition has presented itself," said Anderson in a statement. "I move forward to a new season, launching my beauty company, 'Halo Tu' Beauty,' which celebrates kindness, love and glamour, and working corporately in the entertainment/music industry. To all of our fans, I love you and will continue to share my artistry and creativity in various ways. I partner with you in my new journey."

Trin-i-tee 5:7 derives its name from the biblical passage John 5:7,which encapsulates how the Father, Son and Holy Ghost cooperatively work on behalf of humankind. The trio has reigned as the bestselling female gospel trio in music history, nominated for a Grammy and winner of several Dove Awards over the past decade.

Since their start in 1998, the three have come out with chart topping gospel hits. Originally from New Orleans, La., the group was marketed as a gospel alternative to secular R&B girl groups popular during that time, including TLC and Destiny's Child.

Just one year after their start, they released their debut album, Trin-i-tee 5:7 which debuted at No.8 on the Top Gospel charts. The album featured such songs as "God's Grace" and the cover song "Oh! Mary Don't You Weep." The album later became certified gold.

Throughout their time together as a group, Trin-i-tee has worked alongside big names in Gospel music. At the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2008, they performed alongside Aretha Franklin, BeBe Winans, Israel & New Breed and the Clark Sisters.

Trin-i-tee 5:7 will continue to warm the hearts and homes of their fans with their music. Their upcoming project and first duo release, Love, Peace, Joy at Christmas is their first-ever holiday CD. The new duo will release Trin-i-tee 5:7's fourth project early next year.