Since their inception in 1985, the Down East Boys have been making great music. A mainstay in the Gospel Industry, their name is synonymous with classic quartet harmony and songs that have stood the test of time. Though their tenure as a leading quartet spans several decades, their music remains relevant and their name is consistently at the top of the radio singles chart. Despite their success and the many accolades that have come their way, their goal remains the same as it was when they started—to take the Gospel of Jesus to all the world.
Lead vocalist Ricky Carden joined the group in 1990 at the young age of 19. He became the owner in 1994 and, under his management, the group has continued to thrive. He is joined by tenor Doug Pittman, baritone Cayden Howell, and bass Alex Utech. This group of men continues to thrill and inspire audiences all across North America. While their name depicts the area of eastern North Carolina from which they are based, the Down East Boys have no boundaries on where they are willing to take their music.
Musically, this group has given gospel music many treasured and popular songs. Early in their career, their single “Beautiful Valley” stayed on the top 40 of the Singing News Radio Chart for ten months and solidified Down East as a nationally known artist. It would be this song that would prompt readers of Singing News Magazine to vote the quartet the Horizon Group of the Year in 1990. More recently, the group has topped the charts several times with songs such as “Beat Up Bible,” “Testimony Time,” “I'd Like To Tell It Again,” “Amazing Amounts Of Amazing Grace,” and “What Love.”
Recording on the Sonlite label of Crossroads Music Group based in Asheville, NC, the Down East Boys have recorded over 20 albums and amassed five number one songs to date. They've received multiple nominations for Group Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year. They are booked by the legendary Beckie Simmons Agency.
The Down East Boys have graced the stages of the biggest musical events in gospel music, including National Quartet Convention, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, The Ark Encounter, Memphis Quartet Show, Singing In The Sun, and Singing At Sea Cruise. Whether they’re performing on a large concert stage, the local church, dinner theater, fair, or an evangelism conference, their music resounds with the love, joy, and peace that comes from the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ which they continue to share with great passion.