Imagination Movers

Imagination Movers is the name of a children's music group from New Orleans, who have been named to "up-and-coming" lists. [ [http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/press_kit_more.php?id=23] ] The group has issued successful albums, as well as a DVD. [ [http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/shop_online.php] ] In September, 2008 1/2 hour show featuring the group began airing on the Disney Channel's preschool programming block known as Playhouse Disney.

Rich Collins

Mover Rich is the Movers’ multi-instrumentalist and the man behind the controls in the recording studio. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Collins relocated to New Orleans in the early 1990s to form the rock group Dubly. The Movers’ unique “junk” drum set is a hybrid of the setups used by street performers in D.C. and New Orleans. Collins is married with five children. In the Idea Warehouse, Rich’s drum sticks double as "Scribble Sticks," which can be used to draw pictures and words right on the TV screen.

cott Durbin

Mover Scott is an award-winning elementary school teacher, Durbin first dreamed up the idea for "Imagination Movers" in 2003. Inspired by Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo, Durbin's goal is to bring strong male role models to children's programming.

The son of a military chaplain, Durbin grew up all over the world, including Thailand, Washington, D.C. and San Antonio, before his family settled in New Orleans when he was in second grade. He continued to travel throughout high school and college, studying abroad in both Japan and Denmark. The mandolin playing Durbin credits these adventures with giving him the ability to see things from a variety of perspectives, a trait he brings to the series through his characteristic "Wobble Goggles."

Prior to the Movers, Durbin was an award-winning teacher, earning the New Teacher of the Year award from Isidore Newman School (a National Association of Independent Schools accredited private school in Orleans Parish). He received an undergraduate degree in religious studies from Centenary College of Louisiana, and a graduate teaching certificate from the University of New Orleans. Durbin's interest in music stems from his childhood and the time he spent as the front man for various alternative bands throughout the 80's and 90's.

Mover Scott is married with two kids.

Dave Poche

Mover Dave is an architect by trade, Poche was part of the design team for the New Orleans Saints practice facilities and also designed various New Orleans-based banks, office buildings and hotels. He most recently worked on several designs that are part of the post-Katrina rebuild efforts.

As 'Imagination Mover Dave,' Poche is the Movers' "jack-of-all-trades," using his red gadget hat as a storage device for a variety of objects, many of which he uses to make his cool gizmos and contraptions. Poche is also responsible for creating the concept of the Warehouse Mouse puppet, a mainstay in the series.

An active father, he has taken time from his busy schedule to serve as a Cub Scout den leader as well a coach for his children’s T-ball, basketball and soccer teams.

While he has no formal theatrical or musical training, Poche did fiddle with the bass briefly in college and has a colorful performance background that includes a stint as a stand-up comic. Like his fellow Movers, he is inspired by 1980s and '90s rock, pop and alternative music and by his front-lines experience dealing with his children's sleepless nights, messy playrooms and other growing pains.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Poche received his degree from Louisiana State University and moved to his wife's hometown of New Orleans 13 years ago. Despite losing their home to Hurricane Katrina, the couple has returned to the New Orleans area where they currently reside with their two young children.

cott "Smitty" Smith

Mover Smitty, a New Orleans firefighter, has spent the past five years as part of Engine 7 on Basin Street and was a part of the Hurricane Katrina search-and-rescue effort. While he was the only Mover not to lose his home to the storm, his firehouse was destroyed and continues to operate out of a trailer.

Guitarist Smith is the adventurous outdoorsman of the group; growing up in Southern Louisiana, he hunted and fished every weekend as a child, and continues to do so in his spare time. He's also an avid hiker and enjoys exploring America's National Parks. Smith brings his outdoor experiences to the group by blowing duck and goose calls on some of the band’s songs, including "I Heard That."

An English Literature graduate of the University of New Orleans, Smith's given Mover prop is his trusty journal, which represents his Indiana Jones-like scholarly personality and is used as a resource when the Movers are trying to solve a problem.

A New Orleans native, Smith resides in the city with his wife and two dogs.

Facts

The group was created in New Orleans by Scott Durbin as a way to create entertaining and educational childrens' music. [http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/about_us.php]

The Movers lost homes, jobs and instruments/recording studio due to Hurricane Katrina, but have continued to perform due to fan support. [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2007-10-02/cover_story.php]

In April 2006, the Imagination Movers finalized a deal to release albums through Walt Disney Records and create a television show for Playhouse Disney (a deal similar to the one between The Wiggles and Koch Records). [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2007-10-02/cover_story.php] , [http://www.dcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3115510&type=lead]

On March 22, 2008 the Imagination Movers were one of the entertainment groups to perform at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the White House South Lawn in Washington DC. [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080322-2.html]

On August 21, 2008, the Imagination Movers performed on Good Morning America. [http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2008/08/imagination_movers_to_perform.html]

On September 6, 2008 the Imagination Movers' new self-titled children's program debuted on the Disney Channel. [http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/news.php]

Discography

Albums

{| class="wikitable"!| Year!| Title!| Label!| Other information
-
|2003
|"Good Ideas"
|Rec Room Records
|Independent Release
-
|2004
|"Calling All Movers"
|Rec Room Records
|Independent Release
-
|2004
|"Stir It Up"
|Rec Room Records
|DVD Release
-
|2005
|"Eight Feet"
|Rec Room Records
|Independent Release
-
|2008
|"Juice Box Heroes"
|Disney Sound
-

Episode List

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
-! Episode Number! Name! Original Airdate
-
1
No Noise Is Good Noise
September 6, 2008
-
2
The Tooth Hurts
September 6, 2008
-
3
Bad Hair Day
September 8, 2008
-
4
A Puppy Problem
September 9, 2008
-
5
Body Language
September 10, 2008
-
6
Super Goop
September 11, 2008
-
7
Heavy Reading
September 12, 2008
-
8
It's A Breeze
September 13, 2008
-
9
A Bee Story
September 15, 2008
-
10
The Un-Party
September 17, 2008
-
11
Too Cool
September 18, 2008
-
12
Sneeze and Thank You
September 20, 2008
-
13
Bucket of Trouble
September 22, 2008
-
14
Finders Key-pers
September 27, 2008
-
15
Wayne Dance
October 4, 2008
-
16
Hiccups
October 11, 2008
-
17
All Broken Up
October 18, 2008
-
18
Big Pumpkin Problem
October 25, 2008
-

External links

* [http://www.imaginationmovers.com/ Imagination Movers official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/imaginationmovers/ Myspace]
* [http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/imaginationmovers/ Imagination Movers on Playhouse Disney]
* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080322-2.html White House 2008 Easter Egg Roll Frequently Asked Questions]

http://www.myspace.com/imaginationmovers