Imagination Movers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Imagination Movers
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Children's music, third-wave ska, rock |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Walt Disney, Rec Room, Razor & Tie |
| Members | Rich Collins Scott Durbin Dave Poche Scott "Smitty" Smith Kyle Melancon |
The Imagination Movers are a fun American children's band. They started in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2003. The band members are Rich Collins (drummer), Scott Durbin (singer and keyboardist), Dave Poche (bassist), and Scott "Smitty" Smith (guitarist).
These four friends and neighbors wanted to make music for kids. They felt children needed songs that "spoke to them, not down on them." Scott Durbin dreamed of a live TV show. It would be like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Captain Kangaroo combined. So, the four friends worked hard every night. From 9 PM to midnight, they wrote songs and created ideas for their TV show.
Contents
The Band's Journey
The Imagination Movers began as a TV and music idea. They first showed their idea to local PBS TV stations. WLAE-TV in Louisiana was interested. They then introduced the band to Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB). Soon, LPB started showing one-minute videos made by the Imagination Movers.
Growing Their Audience
The Movers became very popular in their area. They wrote educational songs for kids. These songs also had catchy tunes and rhythms that adults enjoyed. They sold over 100,000 copies of their own CDs and DVDs. Their first three CDs were "Good Ideas," "Calling All Movers," and "Eight Feet." Their DVD was called "Stir It Up." Together, these won fourteen national awards. Groups like the National Association of Parenting Publications (NAPPA) and Parents' Choice gave them awards.
Joining Disney
In 2005, Disney noticed the band. They started talking about adding the Movers to their company. These talks paused in August when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The flood destroyed the band's office. It also ruined the homes and jobs of Collins, Durbin, and Poche. But the deal with Disney was signed in the spring of 2006.
In 2008, Walt Disney Records released the Movers' first national CD. It was called "Juice Box Heroes." In September 2008, a 22-minute TV show began airing. It was on the Disney Channel's preschool block, Playhouse Disney. Later, it moved to Disney Junior. The Movers starred in the show. They also helped produce it. The Movers wrote and performed all the songs on their show. They are also known for their exciting live concerts.
Concert Tours and New Music
In October 2009, the band started the "Live from the Idea Warehouse Concert Tour." They traveled from mid-October to mid-December 2009. Their shows included many favorite songs and dancing. Video appearances by Warehouse Mouse were also part of the fun.
From February to May 2011, they had the "In a Big Warehouse Concert Tour." They played over 100 shows in more than 50 cities. These were all across North America.
From March to October 2012, the Movers toured North America again. This was their "Rock-O-Matic" tour. The show still had parts of their TV show. For example, there was an "idea emergency" on stage. The tour promoted their new album and DVD, "Rock-O-Matic." This album had all new music. It was made independently of Disney. It had a more grown-up rock sound, but was still great for kids. You can still watch Imagination Movers on the Disney NOW app.
In summer 2013, they released their fourth album with Disney Records. It was called "Back in Blue." This album had 26 songs. It included most songs from season three of their TV show. It also had other unreleased songs they wrote for the show.
In fall 2013, the Movers worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. They presented the Think Big Tour. This was an educational concert. It traveled throughout Louisiana.
In May 2014, Disney Junior Canada presented the Imagination Movers Live in Concert tour. Warehouse Mouse was a special guest. The tour visited seventeen Canadian cities. It started in Victoria, BC, and ended in Glace Bay, NS. Many shows sold out. The Movers played songs from their Disney Junior series. They also played from their album "Back In Blue." This album was the No. 1 Children's Album on iTunes in Canada.
In fall 2014, 9 Story Entertainment announced a deal with the band. They teamed up on a concept called Super Movers. This was a new animated and live-action show. It was for kids aged 4-7. It was full of comedy, adventure, and music. The main message was: "Everybody has the power to become a superhero!"
In 2015, the Imagination Movers released their ninth album. It was a CD/DVD called "Licensed to Move." Fans helped fund this project through PledgeMusic. In 2016, they released the single "Super Movers." This upbeat, ska-inspired song shared the idea that everyone can be a superhero. It hit number 1 on the Children's Charts on iTunes and Amazon in the US and Canada.
In 2017, the Movers crowdfunded their tenth album, "10-4," through Indiegogo. It was released on December 14, 2018.
Meet the Movers
Rich Collins
Rich is a multi-instrumentalist. He works the sound controls in the recording studio. On the TV show, he is the drummer. But in concerts, he often plays guitar, bass, and sometimes drums. His drum sticks are also "Scribble Sticks." He uses them to draw words and pictures on the TV screen.
Rich is from Silver Spring, Maryland. He moved to New Orleans in the early 1990s to start a rock band. He is a husband and a father of five children. Before the Imagination Movers, Rich was a journalist. He also makes his own music. He released his second solo album, Golden Pick, after his first, That Escalated Quickly, in 2013.
Scott Durbin
Scott had the first idea for Imagination Movers in 2003. He wanted a live kids' show with strong male role models. He was inspired by shows like Captain Kangaroo and Fred Rogers. He also liked the music of The Police and De La Soul.
Scott's father was a minister and chaplain in the US Army. So, Scott lived in many places around the world. These included Washington, D.C., San Antonio, and Thailand. His family settled in New Orleans when he was about seven. He also studied abroad in Japan and Denmark. After Hurricane Katrina, he moved to Lafayette.
Before the Movers, Scott taught for ten years. This was one of his inspirations for the band. He was even named Teacher of the Year at one of his schools. In the Idea Warehouse, Scott plays the mandolin, keyboards, and melodica. He also wears "Wobble Goggles." These goggles help him see things in many different ways. In 2015, Scott became an instructor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He also coordinates their Music Business Program.
Dave Poche
Dave is an architect. He helped design buildings in New Orleans. These included banks, offices, and hotels. He also worked on designs for the city's rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
As 'Imagination Mover Dave,' he is the band's "jack-of-all-trades." He wears a red gadget hat. It holds many objects. He uses these to make cool gizmos and contraptions. Dave also created the idea for the Warehouse Mouse puppet. This puppet is a big part of the TV series.
Dave is an active father. He has coached his children's sports teams. He also led a Cub Scout den. He played bass briefly in college. He also performed as a stand-up comic. Dave is inspired by 1980s and 1990s rock, pop, and alternative music. He also gets ideas from his experiences as a parent. Dave plays bass guitar on the TV show and in live concerts.
Dave is from Baton Rouge. He moved to New Orleans with his wife. Even though they lost their home to Hurricane Katrina, they returned to New Orleans. They live there now with their two children.
Scott "Smitty" Smith
Smitty is a New Orleans firefighter. He helped with search-and-rescue after Hurricane Katrina. His firehouse was destroyed, and they still work from a trailer.
Smitty is the guitarist and main songwriter. He loves the outdoors. Growing up in Southern Louisiana, he hunted and fished often. He still enjoys these activities. He also likes exploring America's National Parks. Smitty uses his outdoor skills in the band. He blows duck and goose calls in some songs, like "I Heard That."
Smitty studied English Literature. His Mover prop is his trusty journal. It shows his scholarly personality, like Indiana Jones. He uses it to help the Movers solve problems. Smitty lives in New Orleans with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.
Band Members
Official members
- Rich Collins – drums, percussion, vocals
- Scott Durbin – vocals, keyboards, mandolin, percussion
- Dave Poche – bass, backing vocals
- Scott "Smitty" Smith – guitar, vocals, keyboards
Touring members
- Kyle Melancon – drums, percussion
Achievements and Awards
On March 22, 2008, the Imagination Movers performed at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This event is held on the White House South Lawn. On August 21, 2008, they performed on Good Morning America.
The Imagination Movers won a 2009 Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award. This was for Outstanding Original Song. The song was "Boing, Cluck, Cluck." The Movers have been nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards twice. This was in 2009 and 2011 for Outstanding Original Song.
In 2011, their TV series won a WGA Award. This was for Children's Episodic & Specials. The episode was “Happy Ha-Ha Holidays.”
According to Pollstar, the Movers were ranked #79 on the Top 100 North American tours of 2011. Because of their success in live shows, the Imagination Movers were also on the cover of Pollstar magazine.
The Imagination Movers are also National Buddy Walk Partners. They work with the National Down Syndrome Society.
Music Albums
The band has released ten albums so far.
Rec Room Records
- "Good Ideas" (2003)
- "Calling All Movers" (2004)
- "Stir It Up" - DVD release (2004)
- "Eight Feet" (2006)
- "Licensed to Move" CD/DVD (2015)
- "10-4" (2018)
Disney Records
- "Juice Box Heroes" (2008)
- "For Those About to Hop" (2009)
- "In a Big Warehouse" (2010)
- "Back In Blue" (2013) - Digital Release Only
Razor & Tie
- "Rock-O-Matic"- CD/DVD (February 28, 2012)
TV Series
List of Imagination Movers (TV series) episodes
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Los imaginadores para niños
