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| Top row (l to r) | Seated |
| Ray Stricsek (Saxophone) |
Don Camocho (Drums) |
| Mark Scott (Bass & Vocals)
| Karen Plount (Vocals, Percussion) |
| Rob Boh (Keyboards, Synthesizers) |
Gary Pobst (Guitar & Vocals)
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With the exception of Don on drums, The VIPs were formed from employees of A. C. Nielsen Company (TV ratings) in Dunedin. The band was named after a Nielsen report: "Viewers In Profile". Most of us had come from previous professional musical endeavors. Once we had a few sets under our belts, the VIPs performed top 40/dance music for fun and profit at business parties, weddings, and special events, to very warm reception. Eventually, we were managed by The Ben Cashman Agency in Lakeland, and the VIPs played regular "engagements" at Spartan Manor, New Port Richey; Innsbrook, Saddlebrook and Eastlake Woodlands Golf Resorts; and headlined "Palm Harbor Days", the "Chasco Fiesta Festival" in Pasco County, Florida, and other Central Florida venues.
Once, the Ritz Carlton in Naples (about 150 miles away) rented us a bus (used by the Beach Boys) and a hotel room (as a dressing room) for a banker's convention. I will never forget that night.
It was always pretty easy performing with this band. Typically, all I had to do was roll out my amp, plug in and play (thanks, Ray). I sang some lead, but our front lady was the classy Karen Plount, who had some "big band" experience. We eventually learned and played a couple of my songs. After a bit of success it was difficult getting everyone out to learn new stuff, and I yearned to showcase more of my material.
Having won a local songwriting contest with "Who Ya Got Comin'?", when I was told my prize was two hours of studio time, I knew my only chance to get a song from top to bottom in that short of a time was to record one of the few of my songs that the VIPs performed. Since Nancy sang the harmonies, I used her instead of Karen (did I upset Karen, in retrospect? I hope not). Since John played bass better than I, I played the piano -- I composed it on piano -- part instead. That put Rob on string synthesizer, and although I never got a full mix, the flat board mix I did salvage is a fair testament to The Idea of You and the VIP-ups.
Gary has continued to grow musically, and had a New Age/Jazz release several years back.
Rob is still a good friend and a regular at poker. He has recently published a book, and is an amateur conspiracy theorist.
Even though I regrettably have no contact with the others, I look back very fondly on our run.
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