Diplomatics

An instrumental soul ensemble known as the Diplomatics came together in Indianapolis during 1966. Guitarist Jerry "Boing-Boing" Miller, bassist Rodney Vorhis, pianist Rodney Stepp, and drummer Bobby Gayheart made up the founding roster, which they assembled specifically to compete in a school talent show while the members ranged between the ages of 11 and 14. The group initially performed under the name the Diplomats, yet altered the spelling after learning of an identically titled Washington, D.C. outfit; they ultimately won the contest and promptly recruited saxophonist Richard Gamble along with trumpeter Maurice Taylor. Over the ensuing years the Diplomatics served as backing musicians for touring visitors such as Patti LaBelle, the Dells, and Joe Tex whenever those artists reached Indianapolis. The Spinners, sufficiently impressed by what they heard, hired away Miller and Vorhis to finish the remaining dates on their own itinerary. Miller rejoined the Diplomatics after six months, at which point Miles "Butch" Loyd assumed the bass chair; Loyd and Stepp then co-wrote the outfit’s only single, the 1970 release “Hum-Bug.” Pressed on the regional LAMP imprint, the track scored a substantial local success in the Indianapolis market yet never secured wider national release, and the Diplomatics disbanded in 1972. Several members later reconvened under the name Jazzie Cazzie and the Eight Sounds to cut a single for Knaptown.