DATE: Sunday, September 21, 1997            TAG: 9709190377

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS 

SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

RANDY RADFORD TRUCK DRIVER, GOSPEL SINGER

He drives a truck for his regular job. For a hobby and the love of it, he sings gospel music.

For the past eight years, Suffolk resident Randy Radford has been performing with the Galileans gospel group. Formed in 1954 by Chesapeake resident Kenneth N. Channel, the band is one of the most popular gospel acts in the region and is booked through October 1998.

``It's really Kenny Channel and the Galileans,'' said Radford, 41, who lives near downtown Suffolk. ``He's really built up a following all these years.''

Like Channel, who sang early on with his family, Radford began singing as a young boy in his father's church in Greenville, S.C. He has sung all his life, in various groups. When Channel asked him to join the Galileans, Radford said he was ``speechless.''

``I love to sing, and I was singing for a Suffolk gospel group when I got the call,'' Radford said. ``It was an honor.''

A trio including Chesapeake resident Rick Lawrence, the Galileans perform traditional Southern gospel along with some original compositions. They play at festivals, churches and concert halls locally and along the East Coast.

``We're putting together a new cassette right now,'' Radford said. ``It will probably be out early next year.''

Channel said that the threesome make a ``team.''

``We're all really close,'' said Channel, 69. ``Randy has an outstanding bass voice and a great personality.''

The group sells their cassettes at shows only and spends the proceeds covering traveling expenses and equipment costs. They also get what they call ``love offerings'' from their audiences, which they use to support the band.

``We're not doing it for money,'' Radford said. ``It's for the love of the music and the fellowship and God.''

Radford said God has always been a big part of his life, especially with his father being a preacher.

``Lot of times you have to be really dedicated to singing because things come up that you'd like to do instead,'' Radford said. ``But you have to be committed to it. And the love of God is important to the devotion to the group.''

What brought you to Suffolk? My father was a preacher in Ohio and we came here to start the former Open Door church on Jolliff Road in Chesapeake.

Your birthdate and hometown? 6/21/56, Greenville, S.C.

Your fondest childhood memories? Growing up in the country.

Your marital status and children? Married to Debbie, two children, Billy, 22, Jennifer, 13.

Any pets? A cat named Milo.

First job and worst job? Selling shoes at Hofheimer's, selling insurance.

Occupation? A truck driver for SPSA.

If you had a choice what other job would you have? No comment.

What's your favorite hangout? I like being home because I'm not here that much.

What's your favorite night on the town? Friday night at the hockey game.

Your favorite food and drink? Fried chicken, iced tea.

Favorite movie and TV show? Disney movies, and ``Cops.''

Book you wish everyone would read? I'm not a big reader.

Ideal vacation? Going back to Georgia to visit my dad.

Something you can't resist? Banana pudding.

Few people know that I . . . Like old classic cars and trucks.

Most embarrassing moment? No comment.

If you won the lottery, what would you buy? A 1955,'56,'57 two-door hardtop Chevrolet and a house in the country.

What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? ``Always be a man of your word,'' from my dad.

What's the best thing about yourself? The ability to get along with people.

If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? No, I'm pretty well satisfied.

What achievements are you most proud of? Twenty three years of marriage and my children.

Something you wish you said but haven't? I usually speak my mind. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

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