Meet the Band....
Daniel McIntyre - Band Leader, Guitar / Vocal - Daniel was born in Henderson, NC and has lived in Wilmington for 23 years. He has been a singer, songwriter and musician since high school, and over the years and many musical endeavors, developed a clear idea of what he thought the ideal band would be. Turning his vision into reality in 2010, he joined forces with the talented Danica Fletcher, and created 40 East. Now they have compiled a group of excellent musicians whose goal is to keep the audience happy, energetic, and entertained. At this point, 40 East has shared the stage with a few of the greats; Bad Company and Gloriana just to mention a few. Daniel and the band are excited about their bright future, and look forward to meeting you!
Danica Fletcher - Vocals / Percussion - Danica Fletcher is a singer/songwriter originally from Archdale, North Carolina. She grew up on a horse farm and began singing as a small child and never stopped. After graduating from University of North Carolina at Greensboro she moved to Wilmington, NC. While she was searching for a hobby she stumbled upon guitar player Daniel McIntyre who was looking to start a band. She auditioned for the lead singer position and in the fall of 2010 40 EAST was born. Her musical influences are vast and include artists such as Alanis Morissette, Pat Benatar, Martina McBride, and Reba McIntyre. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, and horse back riding. Her favorite color is green and her favorite band is Pink Floyd.
Thomas Boyd - Guitar / Vocal - Tommy was born in New Bern, NC raised in VA, and moved to Wilmington in 1969. One morning, when he was 8 years old, while watching American Bandstand, SteppenWolf came on and was playing " Magic Carpet Ride ". That’s when he told his little brother "That's what I'm gonna do when I get older". He got his first guitar a year later and formed his first band when he was 11. After graduating from New Hanover high school, he studied music at NCSU in Raleigh. Since then, he has played in countless bands all over the country and worked with some of the “greatest people you could hope to meet”. His motto is: “Work hard, play hard, and have fun doing it !!”
Gerard C Torchio (G-Groove) - Drums - Gerard was born on May 22, 1959 in Flushing, New York. The youngest of five children, Gerard was exposed to a variety of music early on. His parents loved the big band sound and constantly played it around the house. His older siblings would listen to Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Chicago, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and much more. As he grew, he was inspired by the sounds of Aerosmith, Al Greene, AWB, James Brown, The Eagles, EWF, Humble Pie, Jimi Hendrix, Sly & The Family Stone, Steely Dan, and a whole lot more! He was quickly drawn to the rhythm sections of the music and made his musical connection there.
He studied percussion techniques with the acclaimed Chet Deboe in Uniondale, New York. While growing up he was in several bands and played a lot of Funk, R &B, classic rock, metal, and punk in the local club scene on Long Island and Manhattan including the “Limelight” and “CBGB’s”. He did recording with an original’s band at Electric Lady Land Studio. While in North Carolina he was an active member in various local bands which include: “Swing Shift,” “The Michael Lovesky Project,” “Road Hog,” “Painted Man,” “Soul Power Posse,” “The Weather Channel Boyz,” “Rick Tobey and the Chickenhead Blues Band,” “Honeymoon Pajamas,” and “The Funk U Orchestra.” Gerard is excited to be a part of “40 EAST” and is most happy when he is playing music.
Matt Inman - Keyboard, Vocals - is originally from Greensboro, NC. He moved to Wilmington in 2011 where he has led worship in church for the past 2 years. His musical journey includes college at Piedmont International University and Lee University, leading worship in various churches across NC, audio engineering and session work.
Matt has had a passion for playing the piano since he was 15 years old. He got married back in 2008 to a musician and now has two little boys. Matt is excited about joining the band and having the opportunity to bring his talents to 40 East.
David Pray - Bass Guitar, Vocals - Bitten by the music bug at an early age David Pray knew he would be performing on stage for the rest of his life. It was on a transcontinental flight listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around The Bend" for the first time that did it. But it wasn't only rock n roll. David studied classical guitar at the University of Hawaii, cut his teeth on 80's New Wave and Top 40 bands, then on to modern country as Madonna Nash's bassist and music director, original jazz compositions with Aqua Viva, theatre productions, studio sessions, attended master classes with blues phenom Robben Ford and original Tonight Show guitarist Gene Bertoncini, concocted the world class Katy Perry tribute show Firework and now plays with the highly entertaining 40 East Band. David loves music and putting on a great show as a rock solid bassist or rhythm guitarist.
Chelsey Inman - Keyboard, Flute, Vocal - Chelsey is originally from Greensboro, NC and has lived in Wilmington since early 2011. She started singing at an early age and discovered that she could harmonize in elementary school. Harmony has been her passion ever since as a vocalist. She sang in her school choir, studied flute with NCSA's Tadeu Coelho, and sang in the Greensboro Youth Chorus in middle school and high school. She entered Piedmont International University as a music major with her husband. Church music ministry led her and her husband and two children to Wilmington. She now works full time at an investment firm during the week and part time at Buckle in Mayfaire. She is grateful for the opportunity to sing with 40 East and considers gig nights "date nights" with her hubby the keyboardist.
-Paige McKinzie Kon, Director of Marketing, Mayfaire Town Center Concert Series